1 

BX 




Slielf.te__CG 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



THE 

< 

LERGYMAN'S COMPANION. 




NEW YORK: 
THOMAS WHITTAKER, 
2 & 3 Bible House. 




Copyright, 1885, 
By Thomas Whittaker. 



St. Johnland 
Stereotype Foundry, 
Suffolk Co., N. V. 



PREFACE. 



The compiler of this book begs to. ask those who use 
it (i), to read it through attentively, that they may know 
what is in it, and where to find what is in it; and (2), 
in preparing for any occasion of its intended use not 
only to choose the Office fitting to the case, but also to 
. decide beforehand what parts of it (if any) to omit, and 
what other Scriptures or prayers (if any) to add, and 
then carefully to review the Service thus arranged; to 
the end that there may be no unreadiness of mind or 
heart in the discharge of so important a duty. 

That the book might contain much, and yet be in 
clear type, and easily carried in the pocket, the Lord s 
Prayer — which is a pari of every Office — has not been 
prmted, except on pages 10, 15, 17, 31, 37; and, ''the 
Lord be with you,'' ''and with thy spirit," and " let us 
pray " have been left to be supplied from memory. For 
the same reason most of the Amens have been omitted, 
as well as many of the rubrics of the Offices taken from 
the Book of Common Prayer; also, the endings of the 
prayers have, in general, been only indicated. 

It is hardly necessary to suggest that such Offices as 
"the Christian's hope," "for Spiritual light and guid- 
ance," and those under the head of "faith" may by 
slight changes be made suitable for pastoral visitations 
of families in which there is no sickness. 

The putting together of these Scriptures and prayers 
was begun in the wish that the "Clergyman's Com- 
panion " might meet the need which the clergy have 
long and deeply felt. In concluding the pleasant labor, 
the further wish has arisen that devout attendants upon 
the sick, the infirm, the afflicted, in hospitals and other 
places, may find this little book a helpful "companion," 
and that it may also receive a welcome and be a means 
of edification and comfort in many Christian homes. 

September 26, 1885. 



CONTENTS. 



f rager Booft ©fiSces. 

PAGE 

THE OFFICE OF INFANT BAPTISM AND THAT OF 

ADULTS AT THE SAME TIME 7 

THE MINISTRATION OF PRIVATE BAPTISM OF CHIL- 
DREN, IN HOUSES 12 

THE FORM OF SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY . 1 3 

THE ORDER FOR THE VISITATION OF THE SICK . 16 

THE COMMUNION OF THE SICK . 25 

THE ORDER FOR THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD . . 33 

^Irliitional ©Witts for t])t &itk anti buffering. 



SICKNESS, god's VISITATION 38 

FOR OUR PROFIT 4 1 

REPENTANCE. 

1. — CONVICTION OF SIN 45 

2. — CONFESSION OF SIN 49 

FAITH IN GOD THE FATHER 52 

FAITH IN GOD THE SON 55* 

FAITH IN GOD THE HOLY GHOST 5» 



Contents* v 

PAGB 

FORGIVENESS OF WRONGS RECEIVED 62 

REPARATION FOR WRONGS DONE 66 

BEFORE MAKING A WILL 69 

THANKFULNESS FOR SICKNESS 73 

FOR THE GRACE OF PATIENCE 75 

THE christian's HOPE 77 

IN SPIRITUAL DEPRESSION 81 

IN PROCESS OF RECOVERY 86 

BEFORE A SURGICAL OPERATION, OR IN A CRISIS 
IN SICKNESS, OR IN ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN AND 

DANGEROUS ILLNESS 89 

AFTER A SURGICAL OPERATION, OR AFTER RELIEF 
FROM EXTREME DANGER BY SICKNESS OR 

ACCIDENT 92 

IN GREAT PAIN 94 

UNLIKELY TO RECOVER 98 

SUBMISSION lOI 

IN THE HOUR OF DEATH I04 

FOR THE BLIND, OR FOR SPIRITUAL LIGHT AND 

GUIDANCE 107 

FOR A SICK CHILD .Ill 

FOR THE AGED II 4 

IN SICKNESS LONG CONTINUED II 7 

Erasers for Farious WeeUs in cStcfeness, 
Peril, anU Jnfirmttg* 



IN SLEEPLESSNESS I20 

FOR THREATENED BLINDNESS 121 

AFTER ATTEMPTED SUICIDE 122 

FOR ONE LAME IN HIS SICKNESS 122 

FOR ONE INSENSIBLE , . . . 123 



vi Contents^ 

PAGE 

FOR THE INSANE 1 24 

FOR THE FEEBLE IN INTELLECT, AND THE IDIOTIC. 1 25 

IN CHILDBIRTH 1 26 

FOR THE NEW-BORN INFANT . 12/ 

THANKSGIVING AFTER CHILDBIRTH 12/ 

FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB I28 

FOR THE ATTENDANTS ON THE SICK ...... 1 28 

FOR THE PHYSICIAN I29 

IN PREPARATION FOR THE HOLY COMMUNION . 1 29 

(BMcts anlr IPragers for ©t&ers 
Occasions. 



AFTER A DEATH I3I 

AFTER THE DEATH OF A CHILD 1 35 

FOR THE SANCTIFICATION OF SUFFERING TO VARIOUS 

CLASSES OF SUFFERERS . I39 

FOR THE STRENGTHENING AND GROWTH OF THE 

CHURCH 139 

AT A MEETING OF MINISTERS 140 

FOR THE CLERGY I40 

FOP THE PARISH I40 

AT THE MEETINGS OF A GUILD, OR OF A BROTHER- 
HOOD, OR OF ANY OTHER LIKE PAROCHIAL 

ORGANIZATION I4I 

FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES 1 42 

COLLECTS FROM THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER . 14.2 



mft ©Mce of 

infant TSaptim ann ti^at of adultjs 

t\)t Same STitne. 



Hath this person been already baptized, or no ? 
Hath this child been already baptized, or no ? 

DEARLY beloved, forasmuch as all men are con- 
ceived and born in sin, (and that which is born 
of the flesh is flesh, ) and they who are in the flesh can- 
not please God, but live in sin, committing many actual 
transgressions; and our Saviour Christ saith, None can 
enter into the kingdom of God, except he be regenerate 
dnd born anew of Water and of the Holy Ghost; I 
beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our 
Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous goodness he 
will grant to /kese Persons and these Infants that which 
by nature they cannot have; that they may be baptized 
with Water and the Holy Ghost, and received into 
Christ's holy Church, and be made lively members of the 
same. 

Let us pray. 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who of thy great 
mercy didst save Noah and his family in the ark 
from perishing by water; and also didst safely lead the 
children of Israel thy people through the Red Sea, 
figuring thereby thy holy Baptism; and by the Baptism 
of thy well-beloved Son Jesus Chiist, in the river Jor- 
dan, didst sanctify the element of Water to the mystical 
washing away of sin; We beseech thee, for thine infinite 
mercies, that thou wilt mercifully look upon these thy 
Servants and these In/ants ; \Ndish. them and sanctify them 
with the Holy Ghost; that they, being delivered from thy 



8 Cnfant Baptism mti tijat 0f ^tiults at tfje same ^ime. 



wrath, may be received into the ark of Christ's Cl^urch; 
and being steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and 
rooted in charity, may so pass the waves of this trouble- 
some world, that finally //ley may come to the land of 
everlasting life, there to reign with thee, world without 
end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen, 

Or this. 

ALMIGHTY and immortal God, the aid of all who 
need, the helper of all who flee to thee for suc- 
cour, the life of those who believe, and the resurrection 
of the dead; We call upon thee for these Persons and 
these In/ants, that they, coming to thy holy Baptism, 
may receive remission of their sins, by spiritual regen- 
eration. Receive them, O Lord, as thou hast promised 
by thy well-beloved Son, saying, Ask, and ye shall re- 
ceive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be 
opened unto you. So give now unto us who ask; let 
us who seek, find; open the gate unto us who knock; 
that these Persons and these Infants may enjoy the ever- 
lasting benediction of thy heavenly washing, and may 
come to the eternal kingdom which thou hast promised 
by Christ our Lord. Amen, 

DOST thou renounce the devil and all his works, 
the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all 
covetous desires of the same, and the sinful desires of 
the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow, nor be led by 
them ? 

Answer. I renounce them all; and, by God's help, 
will endeavour not to follow, nor be led by them. 

Question, Dost thou believe all the Articles of the 
Christian Faith, as contained in the Apostles' Creed } 

Answer, I do. 

Question. Wilt thou be baptized in this Faith } 
Answer. That is my desire. 

Question. Wilt thou then obediently keep God's holy 
will and commandments, and walk in the same all the 
days of thy life } 

AnsKwr. I will, by God's help. 



infant iSaptism anU tfjat oi ^Uults at tije same ^ime* S 

DOST thou, in the name of this Child, renounce 
the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and 
glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, 
and the sinful desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not 
follow, nor be led by them ? 

Answer. I renounce them all; and, by God's help, 
will endeavour not to follow, nor be led by them. 

Minister. Dost thou believe all the Articles of the 
Christian Faith, as contained in the Apostles' Creed? 
Answer. I do. 

Minister. Wilt thou be baptized in this Faith 
Answer. That is my desire. 

Minister. Wilt thou then obediently keep God's holy 
will and commandments, and walk in the same all the 
days of thy life } 

Answer. I will, by God's help. 

O MERCIFUL God, grant that the old Adam in 
these Persons and these Infants may be so buried, 
that the new man may be raised up in them. Amen. 

Grant that all sinful affections may die in them, and 
that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow 
in them. Amen. 

Grant that they may have power and strength to have 
victory, and to triumph, against the devil, the world, 
and the flesh. Amen. 

Grant that they, being here dedicated to thee by our 
office and ministry, may also be endued with heavenly 
virtues, and everlastingly rewarded, through thy mercy, 
O blessed Lord God, who dost live, and govern all 
things, world without end. Amen. 

ALMIGHTY, everliving God, whose most dearly 
beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of 
our sins, did shed out of his most precious side both 
water and blood; and gave commandment to his dis- 
ciples, that they should go teach all nations, and bap- 
tize them In the name of the Father, and of the Son, 
and of the Holy Ghost; Regard, we beseech thee, the 
supplications of thy congregation; sanctify this Water to 
the mystical washing away of sin; and grant that the 



10 hxiant Baptism anH tf}at of ^Inultg at tfje same ^ime. 

Persons and Infants now to be baptized therein, may 
receive the fulness of thy grace, and ever remain in the 
number of thy faithful children; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen, 

N. T baptize thee In the Name of the Father, and of 
JL the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

T T TE receive this Person [or this Child^ into the con- 



V V gregation of Christ's flock; and do sign him 
with the sign of the Cross, in token that hereafter he 
shall not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ 
crucified, and manfully to fight under His banner, 
against sin, the world, and the devil; and to continue 
Christ's faithful soldier and servant unto his life's end. 
Amen. 

SEEING now, dearly beloved brethren, that these 
Persons and these Infants are regenerate, and grafted 
into the body of Christ's Church; let us give thanks 
unto Almighty God for these benefits, and with one 
accord make our prayers unto him, that they may lead 
the rest of their life according to this beginning. 

OUR Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be 
thy Name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy Will be 
done on Earth, as it is in Heaven; Give us this day our 
daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive 
those who trespass against us; And lead us not into 
temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen. 

T T TE yield thee humble thanks, O heavenly Father, 



that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the 
knowledge of thy grace, and faith in thee: Increase this 
knowledge, and confirm this faith in us evermore. Give 
thy Holy Spirit to these Persons and these Infants; that 
being now born again, and made Heirs of everlasting 
salvation, through our Lord Jesus Christ, they may con- 
tinue thy Servants, and attain thy promises; through the 
same Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who liveth and 
reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, 
everlastingly. Amen. 





Cttfant iSaptigm anH tfjat of ^Bults at t\)t same Zimt. 



11 



FORASMUCH as //lese Persons have promised, in 
your presence, to renounce the devil and all his 
works, to believe in God, and to serve him; ye must 
remember, that it is your part and duty to put them in 
mind, what a solemn vow, promise, and profession, they 
have now made before this Congregation and especially 
before you their chosen Witnesses. And ye are also to 
call upon them to use all diligence to be rightly instructed 
in God's holy Word; that so they may grow in grace, 
and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; and 
live godly, righteously, and soberly, in this present 
world. 

AND as for you, who have now by baptism put on 
Christ, it is your part and duty also, being made 
the Children of God and of the light, by faith in Jesus 
Christ, to walk answerably to your Christian calling, and 
as becometh the children of light; remembering always, 
that Baptism representeth unto us our profession; which 
is, to follow the example of our Saviour Christ, and to 
be made like unto him; that as he died, and rose again 
for us, so should we, who are baptized, die from sin, 
and rise again unto righteousness; continually mortify- 
ing all our evil and corrupt affections, and daily pro- 
ceeding in all virtue and godliness of living. 

FORASMUCH as this Child hath promised by you 
his sureties to renounce the devil and all his 
works, to believe in God, and to serve him; ye m.ust 
remember, that it is your parts and duties to see that 
this Infant be taught, so soon as he shall be able to 
learn, what a solemn vow, promise, and profession he 
hath here made by you. And that he may know these 
things the better, ye shall call upon him to hear Ser- 
mons; and chiefly ye shall provide, that he may learn 
the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Command- 
ments, and all other things which a Christian ought to 
know and believe to his soul's health; and that this 
Child may be virtuously brought up to lead a godly and 
a Christian life: remembering always, that Baptism doth 
represent unto us our profession; which is, to follow the 



12 iPritate ISaptigm of CJjilUren, in f^ouses. 



example of our Saviour Christ, and to be made like 
unto Him; that as He died, and rose again for us, so 
should we, who are baptized, die from sin, and rise 
again unto righteousness; continually mortifying all our 
evil and corrupt affections, and daily proceeding in all 
virtue and godliness of living. 

T/'E are to take care that //iis Child be brought to the 



X Bishop to be confirmed by him, so soon as he 
can say the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten 
Commandments, and is sufficiently instructed in the 
other parts of the Church Catechism, set forth for that 
purpose. 



Efje iWmtstration of 

l^ritiate OBapttg^m of Ci^tlDren^ 

3In l^ouses. 



First let the Minister of the Parish (or, in his absence, any 
other lawful Minister that can be procured^ with those 
who are present, call upon God, and say the Lord's 
Prayer, and so many of ' the Collects appointed to be said 
before in the Form of Public Baptism, as the time and 
present exigence will suffer. And then, the Child being 
named by some one who is present, the Minister shall pour 
water upon it, saying these words: 

N. T baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of 
X the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

Then the Minister shall give thanks unto God, and say, 

T T TE yield thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, 



V V that it hath pleased thee to regenerate this In- 
fant with thy Holy Spirit, to receive him for thine own 
Child by adoption, and to incorporate him into thy holy 
Church. And humbly we beseech thee to grant, that 
he, being dead unto sin, and living unto righteousness, 





Solemni^ati0n of fHatrtmong. 



13 



and being buried with Christ in his death, may crucify 
the old man, and utterly abolish the whole body of sin; 
and that as he is made partaker of tlie Death of thy Son, 
he may also be partaker of his Resurrection; so that 
finally, with the residue of thy Holy Church, he may be 
an Inheritor of thine everlasting Kingdom, through 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

( The prayer for a sick child, 22, may be added, with a 
benediction. ) 

K\}z JForm of 

Solemnisation of jmatrtmoni?. 

At the day and time appointed for the Solemnization of Mat- 
rimony, the Persons to be married shall come into the body 
of the Church, or shall be ready in some proper house, 
with their friends and neighbours ; and there standing 
together, the Man on the right hand, and the Woman on 
the left, the Minister shall say, 

DEARLY beloved, we are gathered together here in 
the sight of God, and in the face of this com- 
pany to join together this Man and this Woman in holy 
Matrimony; which is commended of Saint Paul to be 
honourable among all men; and therefore is not by any 
to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, 
discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God. 
Into this holy estate these two persons present come 
now to be joined. If any man can show just cause, 
why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him 
now speak, or eke hereafter for ever hold his peace. 

A7id also speaking unto the Persons tvho are to be married, 
he shall say, 

I REQUIRE and charge you both, as ye will answer 
at the dreadful day of judgment, when the secrets 
of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you 



14 



^olemttt5att0n of IHatrtmong. 



know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully 
joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it: 
For be ye well assured, that if any persons are joined 
together otherwise than as God's word doth allow, their 
marriage is not lawful. 

The Minister^ if he shall have reason to doubt of the law- 
fulness of the proposed Marriage, may demand sufficient 
surety for his indemnification; but if no impediment shall 
be alleged, or suspected, the Minister shall say to the man, 

XT TILT thou have this "Woman to thy wedded 

V V wife, to live together after God's ordinance, 
in the holy estate of Matrimony ? Wilt thou love her, 
comfort her, honour, and keep her, in sickness and in 
health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto 
her, so long as ye both shall live ? 

The man shall answer, I will. 

Then shall the Minister say unto the Woman, 

A^T TTILT thou have this Man to thy wedded hus- 

V V band, to live together alter God's ordinance, 
in the holy estate of Matrimony ? Wilt thou obey him, 
and serve him, love, honour, and keep him, in sickness 
and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only 
unto him, so long as ye both shall live ? 

The Woman shall answer, I will. 

Then shall the Minister say, 

Who giveth this Woman to be married to this man } 

Then shall they give their Troth to each other in this manner: 
The Minister receiving the Woman at her father s or 
friend's hands, shall cause the Man with his right 
hand to take the Wo??ian by her right hand, and to say 
after him as follow eth : 

IM. take thee N. to my wedded Wife, to have and to 
hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, 
for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love 
and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's 
holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth. 



^0lemni5attcin of fHatrimang* 



15 



Then shall they loose their hands, and the Woman with her 
right hand taking the Man by his right hand, shall 
likewise say after the Minister, 

IN, take thee M. to my wedded Husband, to have 
and to hold, from this day forward, for better for 
worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, 
to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, ac- 
cording to God s holy ordinance; and thereto I give 
thee my troth. 

Then shall they again loose their hands; and the Man shall 
give unto the Woman a Ring. And the Minister taking 
the Ring shall deliver it unto the Man, to put it upon the 
fourth finger of the Woman s left hand. And the 
Man holding the Ring there, and taught by the Minister, 
shall say, 

WITH this Ring I thee wed, and with all my 
worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of 
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 
Amen. 

Then the Man leaving the Ring upon the fourth finger of 
the Woman s le ft hand, the Minister shall say, 

Let us pray. 

OUR Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy 
Name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy Will be done 
on Earth, as it is in Heaven; Give us this day our daily 
bread; And forgive us our tre.^))asses, as we forgive those 
who trespass against us; And lead us not into tempta- 
tion; But deliver us from evil. Amen. 

O ETERNAL God, Creator and Preserver of all 
mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author 
of everlasting life; send thy blessing upon these thy 
servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in 
thy name, that as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully to- 
gether, so these persons may surely perform and keep 
the vow and covenant betwixt them made, (whereof this 
Ring given and received is a token and pledge) and 



16 



Utsilatt0tt of t\)t &ith 



may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and . 
live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Then shall ihe Minister join their right hands together, 
and say, 

Those whom God hath joined together, let no man 
put asunder. 

Then shall the Minister speak unto the company : 

FORASMUCH as M. and N, have consented to- 
gether in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the 
same before God and this company, and thereto have 
given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and 
have declared the same by giving and receiving a Ring, 
and by joining hands; I pronounce, that they are 
Man and Wife; in the Name of the Father, and of 
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen, 

And the Minister shall add this Blessing: 

GOD the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, 
bless, preserve, and keep you. The Lord merci- 
fully with his favour look upon you, and fill you with all 
spiritual benediction and gra^e; that ye may so live to- 
gether in this life, that in the world to come ye may 
have life everlasting. Amen. 

W^t ©i^zi for tfje 

i^ijsttation of ti^e ^icfe^ 

When any person is sick, notice shall be given thereof to the 
Minister of the Parish; who, coming into the sick persons 
house, shall say, 

Peace be to this house, and to all that dwell 
in it. 



Uisttat{0n of tl^e &ick. 



17 



WAen he cometh into the sick mans presence^ he shall say, 
kneeling daim, 

REMEMBER not, Lord, our iniquities, nor the 
iniquities of our forefathers; Spare us, good 
Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with 
thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for 
ever. 

Answer. Spare us, good Lord. 

Let us pray. 
Lord, have mercy upon us. 
Christ, have mercy upon us. 
Lord, have mercy upon us. 

OUR Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy 
Name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy Will be done 
on Earth, as it is in Heaven; Give us this day our daily 
bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those 
who trespass against us; And lead us not into tempta- 
tion; But deliver us from evil. Amen. 

Minister. O Lord, save thy servant; 
Answer. Who putteth his trust in thee. 
Minister. Send him help from thy holy place; 
Answer. And evermore mightily defend him. 
Minister. Let the enemy have no advantage of him* 
Answer. Nor the wicked approach to hurt him. 
Minister. Be unto him, O Lord, a strong tower, 
Answer. From the face of his enemy. 
Minister. O Lord, hear our prayer. 
Answer. And let our cry come unto thee. 

OLORD, look down from heaven, behold, visit, 
and relieve this thy servant. Look upon him 
with the eyes of thy mercy, give him comfort and sure 
confidence in thee, defend him from the danger of the 
enemy, and keep hirn in perpetual peace and safety; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

HEAR us, Almighty and most merciful God and 
Saviour; extend thy accustomed goodness to 
this thy servant, who is grieved with sickness. Sanctify, 



18 



'Fisitation of tfje cStcft* 



we beseech thee, this thy fatherly correction to him, 
that the sense of his weakness may add strength to hi^^ 
f^ith, and seriousness to his repentance: That, if it shall 
be thy good pleasure to restore him to his former health, 
he may lead the residue of his life in thy fear, and to th)) 
glory: or else, give him grace so to take thy visitation, 
that, after this painful life ended, he may dwell with thee 
in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

DEARLY beloved, know this, that Almighty God 
is the Lord of life and death, and of all things 
to them pertaining; as youth, strength, health, age, 
weakness, and sickness. Wherefore, whatsoever your 
sickness be, know you certainly that it is God's visita- 
tion. And for what cause soever this sickness be sent 
unto you; whether it be to try your patience for the 
example of others, and that your faith may be found, 
in the day of the Lord, laudable, glorious, and honour- 
able, to the increase of glory and endless felicity; or 
else it be sent unto you to correct and amend in you 
whatsoever doth offend the eyes of your heavenly 
Father; know you certainly, that if you truly repent you 
of your sins, and bear your sickness patiently, trusting 
in God's mercy for his dear Son Jesus Christ's sake, and 
render unto him humble thanks for his fatherly visita- 
tion, submitting yourself wholly unto his will, it shall 
turn to your profit, and help you forward in the right 
way that leadeth unto everlasting life. 

'HHAKE therefore in good part the chastisement of the 



Lord: For (as Saint Paul saith in the twelfth 
Chapter to the Hebrews) whom the Lord loveth he 
chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with 
sons; for what son is he whom the Father chasteneth 
not.'' But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all 
are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 
Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh, which 
corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not 
much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, 




Uisitatton of tije ^ith 



19 



and live ? For they verily for a few days chastened us 
after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we 
might be partakers of his holiness. These words, good 
brother, are written in holy Scripture for our comfort and 
instruction; that we should patiently, and with thanks- 
giving, bear our heavenly Father's correction, when- 
soever, by any manner of adversity, it shall please his 
gracious goodness to visit us. And there should be no 
greater comfort to Christian persons, than to be made 
like unto Christ, by suffering patiently adversities, 
troubles, and sicknesses. For He himself went not up 
to joy, but first He suffered pain; He entered not into 
His glory before He was crucified. So truly our way to 
eternal joy is to suffer here with Christ; and our door 
to enter into eternal life is gladly to die with Christ; 
that we may rise again from death, and dwell with Him 
in everlasting life. Now therefore, taking your sickness, 
which is thus profitable for you, patiently, I exhort you, 
in the name of God, to remember the profession which 
you made unto God in your Baptism. And forasmuch 
as after this life there is an account to be given unto the 
righteous Judge, by whom all must be judged, without 
respect of persons, T require you to examine yourself 
and your estate, both toward God and man; so that, 
accusing and condemning yourself for your own faults, 
you may find mercy at our heavenly Father s hand for 
Christ's sake, and not be accused and condemned in 
that fearful judgment. Therefore I shall rehearse to 
you the Articles of our Faith; that you may know 
whether you do believe as a Christian man should, 
or no. 

Here the Minister shall rehearse the- Articles of the Faith ^ 
saying thus, 

DOST thou believe in God the Father Almighty, 
Maker of heaven and earth } 
And in Jesus Christ his only-begotten Son our Lord } 
And that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of 
the Virgin Mary; that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, 
was crucified, dead, and buried; that he went down into 



20 



Fi'sitation of tfje ^itk. 



hell, and also did rise again the third day; that he 
ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of 
God the Father Almighty; and from thence shall come 
again, at the end of the world, to judge the quick and 
the dead ? 

And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy 
Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints; the Remis- 
sion of sins; the Resurrection of the flesh; and ever- 
lasting Life after death ? 

T/ie sick person shall answer^ 

All this I steadfastly believe. 

Then shall the Minister examine whether he repent him 
truly of his sins, and he in charity with all the world; 
exhorting him to forgive, from the bottom of his heart, 
all persons that have offended him; and if he hath 
offended any other, to ask them forgiveness; and where 
he hath done injury or wrong to any man, that he make 
amends to the uttermost of his power. And if he hath 
not before disposed of his goods, let him then be admon- 
ished to make his Will, and to declare his Debts, what 
he oweth, and what is owing unto him, for the better 
discharging of his conscience, and the quietness of his 
Executors. But men should often be put in remem- 
brance to take order for the settling of their temporal 
estates, whilst they are in health. 

The Exhortation before rehearsed, may be said before the 
Minister begin his Prayer, as he shall see cause. 

The Minister shall not omit earnestly to move such sick 
persons as are of ability, to be liberal to the poor. 

Let us pray. 

OMOST merciful God, who, according to the mul- 
titude of thy mercies, dost so put away the sins 
of those who truly repent, that thou rememberest them 
no more; Open thine eye of mercy upon this thy ser- 
vant, who most earnestly desireth pardon and forgive- 
ness. Renew in him^ most loving Father, whatsoever 
hath been decayed by the fraud and malice of the devil, 
or by his own carnal will and frailness; preserve and 



Uisttation of tije Sirft. 



21 



continue this sick member in the unity of the Church; 
consider his contrition, accept his tears, assuage his 
pain, as shall seem to thee most expedient for him. 
And forasmuch as he putteth his full trust only in thy 
mercy, impute not unto him his former sins, but 
strengthen him with thy blessed Spirit; and, when thou 
art pleased to take him hence, take him unto thy favour; 
through the merits of thy most dearly beloved Son 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen, 

Psalm cxxx. De profundis. 

OUT of the deep have 1 called unto thee, O Lora; 
Lord, hear my voice. 

let thine ears consider well the voice of my com- 
plaint. 

If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done 
amiss: O Lord, who may abide it } 

For there is mercy with thee; therefore shalt thou be 
feared. 

1 look for the Lord; my soul doth wait for him; in 
his word is my trust. 

My soul fleeth unto the Lord, before the morning 
watch ; I say, before the morning watch. 

O Israel, trust in the Lord; for with the Lord there 
is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. 

And he shall redeem Israel from all his sins. 

O SAVIOUR of the world, who by thy Cross and 
precious Blood hast redeemed us; Save us and 
help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord. 

THE Almighty Lord, who is a most strong tower to 
all those who put their trust in him, to whom 
all things in heaven, in earth, and under the earth, do 
bow and obey, Be now and evermore thy defence; and 
make thee know and feel, that there is none other Name 
under heaven given to man, in whom, and through 
whom, thou mayest receive health and salvation, but 
only the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen, 



22 



Uisitatton of tije ^tcft. 



UNTO God's gracious mercy and protection we 
commit thee. The Lord bless thee, and keep 
thee. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and 
be gracious unto thee. The Lord hft up his counten- 
ance upon thee, and give thee peace, both now and 
evermore. Amen. 

A Prayer for a sick Child. 

O ALMIGHTY God, and merciful Father, to whom 
alone belong the issues of life and death; Look 
down from heaven, we humbly beseech thee, with the 
eyes of mercy upon this child, now lying upon the bed 
of sickness: Visit him^ O Lord, with thy salvations- 
deliver hirti in thy good appointed time from his bodily 
pain, and save his soul for thy mercies' sake: That, if 
it shall be thy pleasure to prolong his days here on 
earth, he may live to thee, and be an instrument of thy 
glory, by serving thee faithfully, and doing good in his 
generation; or else receive him into those heavenly hab- 
itations, where the souls of those who sleep in the 
Lord Jesus enjoy perpetual rest and felicity. Grant 
this, O Lord, for thy mercies' sake, in the same thy 
Soil our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth 
with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world 
without end. Amen. 

A Prayer for a sick Person, when there appeareth but 
small hope of recovery, 

O FATHER of mercies, and God of all comfort, 
our only help in time of need; We fly unto 
thee for succour in behalf of this thy servant, here 
lying under thy hand in great weakness of body. Look 
graciously upon him, O Lord; and the more the out- 
ward man decayeth, strengthen him, we beseech thee, 
so much the more continually with thy grace and Holy 
Spirit in the inner man. Give him unfeigned repent- 
ance for all the errors of his life past, and steadfast faith 
in thy Son Jesus; that his sins may be done away by 
thy mercy, and his pardon sealed in heaven, before he 
go hence, and be no more seen. We . know, O Lord, 



Fisitation of tfje BU^. 



23 



that there is no word impossible with thee; and that, if 
thou wilt, thou canst even yet raise hm up, and grant 
/lim a longer continuance amongst us: Yet, forasmuch 
as in all appearance the time of h's dissolution draweth 
near, so fit and prepare hm, we beseech thee, against 
the hour of death, that after Ais departure hence in 
peace, and in thy favour, kis soul may be received into 
thine everlasting kingdom: through the merits and 
mediation of Jesus Christ thine only Son, our Lord and 
Saviour. Amen. 

A commendatory Prayer for a sick Persofi at the point of 
departure. 

OAL^NIIGHTY God, with whom do live the spirits 
of just men made perfect, after they are delivered 
from their earthly prisons; We humbly commend the 
soul of this thy servant, our dear brother, into thy hands, 
as into the hands of a faithful Creator, and most merci- 
ful Saviour; most humbly beseeching thee, that it may 
be precious in thy sight. Wash it, we pray thee, in 
the blood of that immaculate Lamb, that was slain to 
take away the sins of the world; that whatsoever defile- 
ments it may have contracted in the midst of this miser- 
able and naughty world, through the lusts of the flesh, 
or the wiles of Satan, being purged and done away, it 
may be presented pure and without spot before thee. 
And teach us who survive, in this, and other like daily 
spectacles of mortality, to see how frail and uncertain 
our own condition is; and so to number our days, that 
we may seriously apply our hearts to that holy and 
heavenly wisdom, whilst we live here, which may in the 
end bring us to life everlasting; through the merits of 
Jesus Christ thine only Son our Lord. Amen. 

A Prayer for Persons troubled in mind or in conscience. 

O BLESSED Lord, the Father of mercies, and the 
God of all comfort, We beseech thee, look down 
in pity and compassion upon this thy afflicted servant 
Thou writest bitter things against him, and makest him 
to possess his former iniquities; thy wrath lieth hard 



24 



upon Mm, and h's soul is full of trouble. But, O mer- 
ciful God, who hast written thy holy Word for our 
learning, that we, through patience and comfort of thy 
holy Scriptures, might have hope; give /iim a ri^ht 
understanding of himself, and of thy threats and prom- 
ises; that he may neither cast away his confidence in 
thee, nor place it anywhere but in thee. Give him 
strength against all his temptations, and heal all his dis- 
tempers. Break not the bruised reed, nor quench the 
smoking flax. Shut not up thy tender mercies in dis- 
pleasure; but make him to hear of joy and gladness, that 
the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Deliver 
him from fear of the enemy, and lift up the light of thy 
countenance upon him, and give him peace, through the 
merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

A Prayer which may he said by the Minister in behalf of 
all present at the visitatioji, 

OGOD, whose days are without end, and whose 
mercies cannot be numbered; Make us, we be- 
seech thee, deeply sensible of the shortness and uncer- 
tainty of human life; and let thy Holy Spirit lead us 
through this vale of misery, in holiness and righteous- 
ness, all the days of our lives: That, when we shall have 
served thee in our generation, we may be gathered unto 
our fathers, having the testimony of a good conscience; 
in the communion of the catholic Church; in the con- 
fidence of a certain faith; in the comfort of a reasonable, 
religious, and holy hope; in favor with thee our God, 
and in perfect charity with the world. All which w^e 
ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. A??ien. 

A Prayer which may be said in case of sudden surp?'ise and 
immediate da?iger. 

OMOST gracious Father, we fly unto thee for 
mercy in behalf of this thy servant, here lying 
under the sudden visitation of thine hand. If it be thy 
will, preserve his life, that there may be place for re- 
pentance; but if thou hast otherwise appointed, let thy 
mercy supply to hi??i the want of the usual opportunity 



^f)e Comtnumon of the <Skk» 



25 



for the trimming of his lamp. Stir up in him such sor- 
row for sin, and such fervent love to thee, as may in a 
short time do the work of many days: That among the 
praises which thy saints and holy angels shall sing to 
the honour of thy mercy through eternal ages, it may be 
to thy unspeakable glory, that thou hast redeemed the 
soul of this thy servant from eternal death, and made 
him partaker of the everlasting life, which is through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

A Thanksgiving for the beginning of a recovery. 

GREAT and mighty God, who bringest down to the 
grave, and bringest up again; We bless thy won- 
derful goodness, for having turned our heaviness into 
joy and our mourning into gladness, by restoring this 
our brother to some degree of his former health. Blessed 
be thy Name that thou didst not forsake him in his sick- 
ness; but didst visit him with comforts from above; didst 
support him in patience and submission to thy will; and, 
at last, didst send him seasonable relief Perfect, we 
beseech thee, this thy mercy towards him; and prosper 
the means which shall be made use of for his cure: 
That being restored to health of body, vigour of mind, 
and cheerfulness of spirit, he may be able to go to thine 
house, to offer thee an oblati'on with great gladness; and 
to bless thy holy Name for all thy goodness towards him; 
through Jesus Christ our Saviour, to whom, with thee 
and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, world 
without end. Amen. 



Commumon of ti^e ^tcfe^ 



The Collect. 

ALMIGHTY, everliving God, Maker of mankind, 
who dost correct those whom thou dost love, 
and chastise every one whom thou dost receive; we be- 
seech thee to have mercy upon this thy servant visited 
vvith thine hand; and to grant that he may take his sick- 



ness patiently, and recover Ms bodily health, if it be thy 
gracious will; and that whensoever h's soul shall depart 
from the body, it may be without spot presented unto 
thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Epistle. Heb. xii. 5. 

MY son, despise not thou the chastening of the 
Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him. 
For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth; and 
scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 

The GospeL St. John v. 24. 

VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth 
my word, and believeth on him that sent me, 
hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condem- 
nation: but is passed from death unto life. 

YE who do truly and earnestly repent you of your 
sins, and are in love and charity with your 
neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the 
commandments of God, and walking from henceforth 
in his holy ways; Draw near with faith, and take this 
holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your hum- 
ble confession to Almighty God, devoutly kneeling. 

ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
Maker of all things, Judge of all men; we ac- 
knowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, 
which we from time to time most grievously have com- 
mitted, by thought, word, and deed, against thy divine 
Majesty; provoking most justly thy wrath and indigna- 
tion against us. We do earnestly repent, and are 
heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the remembrance 
of them is grievous unto us; the burthen of them is 
intolerable. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon 
us, most merciful Father; for thy Son our Lord Jesus 
Christ's sake, forgive us all that is past; and grant that 
we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness 
of life, to the honour and glory of thy name, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



^fje Communion of tfje ^irft. 



27 



ALMIGHl'Y God, our heavenly Father, who of his 
great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to 
all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn 
unto him, have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver 
you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in 
all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ 
saith unto all who truly turn to him. 

COME unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy 
laden, and I will refresh you {St. Matt. xi. 28). 
So God loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten 
Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not 
perish, but have everlasting life {St. John iii. 16). 

Hear also what St. Paul saith 

This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be 
received, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save 
sinners (i Tim. i. 15). 

Hear also what St. John saith. 

If any man sin, we have an Advocate with tne Father, 
Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation 
for our sins (i St. John ii. i, 2). 

Lift up your hearts. 

Answer. We lift them up unto the Lord. 
Priest. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. 
Answer. It is meet and right so to do. 

IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that 
we should at all times, and in all places, give 
thanks unto thee, O Lord, [*Holy Father, ] Almighty, 
Everlasting God. 

Here shall /allow the proper Preface, according to ike 
time, if there be any specially appointed. 



* These words [Holy Father] must be omitted on Trinity Sunday 



28 Z\)t (!r0mmuni0n of tt}e &itk. 

THEREFORE with Angels and Archangels, and 
with all the company of heaven, we laud and 
magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and 
saying. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts, heaven 
and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O 
Lord Most High. Amen. 



proper ^Prefaces. 



upon Christmas Day^ and seven days after. 

BECAUSE thou didst give Jesus Christ, thine only 
Son, to be born as at this time for us; who, by 
the operation of the Holy Ghost, was made very man, 
of the substance of the Virgin Mary his Mother; and 
that without spot of sin, to make us clean from all sin: 
Therefore with Angels, &c. 

Upon Easter Day, and seven days after, 

BUT chiefly are we bound to praise thee for the 
glorious resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ our 
Lord: For he is the very Paschal Lamb, which was 
offered for us, and hath taken away the sin of the world; 
who by his death hath destroyed death, and, by his ris- 
ing to life again, hath restored to us everlasting lite: 
Therefore with Angels, &c. 

Upon Ascension Day, and seven days after, 

THROUGH thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus 
Christ our Lord; who, after his most glorious 
resurrection, manifesdy appeared to all his Apostles, and 
in their sight ascended up into heaven, to prepare a 
place for us; that where he is, thither we might also 
ascend, and reign with him in glory: Therefore with 
iVngels, &c. 

Upon Whitsunday, and six days after, 

THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord; according to 
whose most true promise, the Holy Ghost came 
down as at this time from heaven, with a sudden great 



^fje C0mmunion of tf)e ^tcit* 



29 



sound, as it had been a mighty wind, in the likeness of 
fiery tongues, Hghting upon the Apostles, to teach them, 
and to lead them to all truth; giving them both the gift 
of divers languages, and also boldness with fervent zeal 
constantly to preach the Gospel unto all nations; whereby 
we have been brought out of darkness and error into 
the clear light and true knowledge of thee, and of thy 
Son Jesus Christ: Therefore with Angels, &c. 

Upon the Feast of Trinity only^ may be saidy 

WHO art one God, one Lord; not one only Per- 
son, but three Persons in one Substance. For 
that which we believe of the glory of the Father, the 
same we beHeve of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, 
without any difference or inequality: Therefore with 
Angels, &c. 

Or else this may he said, the words [Holy Father] being 
retained in the introductory address. 

FOR the precious death and merits of thy Son Jesus 
Christ our Lord, and for the sending to us of the 
Holy Ghost, the Comforter; who are one with thee in 
thy Eternal Godhead: Therefore with Angels, &c. 

WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, O 
merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteous- 
ness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are 
not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under 
thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose prop- 
erty is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, 
gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus 
Christ, and to drink His blood, that our sinful bodies 
may be made clean by His body, and our souls washed 
through His most precious blood, and that we may ever- 
more dwell in Him, and He in us. Amen. 

ALL glory be to thee. Almighty God, our heavenly 
Father, for that thou, of thy tender mercy, didst 
give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon 
the cross for our redemption; who made there (by His 
one oblation of Himself once offered) a full, perfect, and 



30 W\^t Communion o£ tfje ^itk. 

sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins 
of the whole world; and did institute, and in His holy 
Gospel command us to continue, 

a perpetual memory of that His (2^ Here the Priest 

precious death and sacrifice until is to take the Paten 

His coming again; For in the into his hands. 

night in which He was betrayed, (b) And here to 

(a) He took Bread: and when He break the Bread. 

had given thanks, (h) He brake it, (c) And here to 

and gave it to His disciples, say- lay his hand upon all 

ing, Take, eat, {c) this is My Body, the Bread. 

which is given for you ; do this in (d) Here he is to 

remembrance of me. Likewise, take the Cup into his 

afi;er supper, {d) He took the Cup; hand. 

and when He had given thanks, He (e) And here he is 

gave it to them, saying. Drink ye to lay his hand upon 

all of this; for {e) this is My Blood every vessel inwhich 

of the New Testament, which is there is any Wine to 

shed for you, and for many, for be consecrated. 
the remission of sins; do this, as 
oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of Me. 

WHEREFORE, O Lord and heav- QUation 
enly Father, according to the 
institution of thy dearly beloved Son our Saviour Jesus 
Christ, we, thy humble servants, do celebrate and make 
here before thy divine Majesty, with these thy holy gifts, 
which we now ofier unto thee, the memorial thy Son 
hath commanded us to make, having in remembrance 
his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty res- 
surrection and glorious ascension; rendering unto thee 
most hearty thanks, for the innumerable benefits pro- 
cured unto us by the same. And we 
most humbly beseech thee, O merciful The Invocation, 
Father, to hear us, and, of thy Almighty 
goodness, vouchsafe to bless and sanctify, with thy 
Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts and creatures of 
bread and wine; that we, receiving them according to 
thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution, in 
remembrance of his Death and Passion, may be par- 



31 



takers of his most blessed Body and Blood. And we 
earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness, mercifully to 
accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most 
humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits 
and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in 
his blood, we, and all thy whole Church, may obtain 
remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his 
passion. And here we offer and present unto thee, O 
Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reason- 
able, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee; humbly be- 
seeching thee, that we, and all others who shall be par- 
takers of this holy Communion, may worthily receive 
the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus 
Christ, be filled with thy grace and heavenly benedic- 
tion, and made one body with him, that he may dwell 
in them, and they in him. And although we are un- 
worthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee 
any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept this our 
bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but 
pardoning our offences; through Jesus Christ our Lord; 
by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy 
Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father 
Almighty, world without end. Amen. 

THE Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was 
given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto 
everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance 
that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart 
by faith, with thanksgiving. 

THE Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was 
shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto 
everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ's 
Blood was shed for thee, and be thankful. 

OUR Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy 
Name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy Will be done on 
earth, as it is in Heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; But 
deliver us from evil; For thine is the Kingdom, and 
the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 



32 



Commum0n of tfje 



ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily 
thank thee, for that thou dost vouchsafe to feed 
us who have duly received these holy Mysteries, with the 
spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of 
thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; and dost assure us 
thereby of thy favour and goodness towards lis; and that 
we are very members incorporate in the mystical body 
of thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful 
people; and are also heirs through hope of thy everlast- 
ing kingdom, by the merits of the most precious death 
and passion of thy dear Son. And we most humbly 
beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with 
thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, 
and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for 
us to walk in, through Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom, 
with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, 
world without end. Amen. 

GLORY be to God on high, and on earth peace, 
good-will towards men. We praise thee, we 
bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give 
thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly 
King, God the Father Almighty. 

O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord 
God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest 
away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou 
that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon 
us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, 
receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand 
of God the Father, have mercy upon us. 

For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou 
only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in 
the glory of God the Father. Amen. 

'nr^^HE peace of God, which passeth all understand- 
X ing, keep your hearts and minds in the knowl- 
edge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our 
Lord; And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, 
the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and re- 
main with you always. Amen. 



33urial of tijz MciO. 



33 



€\)t ©rUer for t\)t 

OBitrial of tt)z "^tan. 

I AM the resurrection and the Hfe, saith the Lord: he 
that beheveth in me, though he were dead, yet 
shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, 
shall never die {S/. John xi. 25, 26). I know that my 
Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter 
day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms 
destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; whom 
I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and 
not another {Job xix. 25, 26, 27). We brought noth- 
ing into this world, and it is certain we can carry 
nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken 
away; blessed be the Name of the Lord (i Tim. vi. 7. 
Job i. 21). 

LORD, let me know my end, and the number of 
my days; that I may be certified how long Lhave 

to live. 

Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span 
long, and mine age is even as nothing in respect of 
thee; and verily every man living is altogether vanity. 

For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth 
himself in vain; he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell 
who shall gather them. 

And now. Lord, what is my hope 1 Truly my hope 
is even in thee. 

Deliver me from all mine offences; and make me not 
a rebuke unto the foolish. 

When thou with rebuke d; st chasten man for sin, 
thou makest his beauty to consume away, like as it 
were a moth fretting a garment; every man therefore is 
but vanity. 

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears con- 
sider my calling; hold not thy peace at ray tears: 



34: 



Burial of ti)c Seati, 



For I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all 
my fathers were. 

O spare me a Httle, that I may recover my strength, 
before I go hence, and be no more seen. 

Lord, thou hast been our refuge, from one generation 
to another. 

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever the 
earth and the world were made, thou art God from 
everlasting, and world without end. 

Thou turnest man to destruction; again thou say est. 
Come again, ye children of men. 

For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yester- 
day; seeing that is past as a watch in the night. 

As soon as thou scatterest them they are even as a 
sleep; and fade away suddenly like the grass. 

In the morning it is green and groweth up; but in 
the evening it is cut down, dried up, and withered. 

For we consume away in thy displeasure; and are 
afraid at thy wrathful indignation. 

Thou hast set our misdeeds before thee; and our 
secret sins in the light of thy countenance. 

For when thou art angry, all our days are gone: we 
bring our years to an end, as it were a tale that is told. 

The days of our age are threescore years and ten; 
and though men be so strong that they come to four- 
score years, yet is their strength then but labour and 
sorrow; so soon passeth it away and we are gone. 

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply 
our hearts unto wisdom. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the 
Holy Ghost; 

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, 
w^orld without end. Amen. 

I Cor. XV. 20. 

NOW is Christ risen from the dead, and become the 
first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man 
came death, by man came also the resurrection of the 
dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall 
all be made alive. But every man in his ow^n order* 



^uml of tfje IBeaU. 



35 



Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's, at 
his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have 
delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; 
when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority, 
and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all 
enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be de- 
stroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. 
But when he saith, all thiiigs are put under him, it is 
manifest that he is excepted which did put all things un- 
der him. And when all things shall be subdued unto 
him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto Him 
that put all things under him, that God may be all in 
all. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the 
dead, if the dead rise not at all } Why are they then 
baptized for the dead } and w^hy stand we in jeopardy 
every hour I protest by your rejoicing, which I have 
in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the 
manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, 
what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not let us 
eat and drink, for to-morrow we die. Be not deceived: 
evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to 
righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the 
knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. But 
some man will say, How are the dead raised up } and 
with what body do they come ? Thou fool ! that which 
thou sowest is not quickened, except it die. And that 
which thou sowest. thou sowest not that body that shall 
be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some 
other grain. But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased 
him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not 
the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, 
another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another 
of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies 
terrestrial; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the 
glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory 
of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another 
glory of the stars; for one star difl'ereth from another star 
in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is 
sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is 
sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in 



36 



Burial of tJjc IB can. 



weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural 
body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural 
body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is writ- 
ten, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the 
last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit, 
that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is 
natural; and .afterward that which is spiritual. The 
first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the 
Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they 
that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they 
also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the 
image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the 
heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and 
blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth 
corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you 
a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be 
changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at 
the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the 
dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be 
changed. For this corruptible must put on incorrup- 
tion, and this mortal must put on immortality. So 
when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, 
and this mortal shall have put on immortality; then shall 
be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is 
swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting ? 
O grave, where is thy victory ? The sting of death is 
sin; and the strength of sin is the Law. But thanks be 
to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord 
Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye 
steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work 
of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour 
is not in vain in the Lord. 

MAN, that is born of a woman, hath but a short 
time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh 
up, and is cut down, like a flower; he fleeth as it were 
a shadow, and never continueth in one stay. 

In the midst of life we are in death: of whom may we 
seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins 
art justly displeased ? 



23un'al of tf}e IBeati^ 



37 



Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, 
O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into 
the bitter pains of eternal death. 

Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut 
not thy merciful ears to our prayer; but spare us. Lord 
most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and merciful 
Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us 
not, at our last hour, for any pains of death, to fall 
from thee. 

T?ORASMUCH as it hath pleased Almighty God, in 



17 his wise providence, to take out of this world the 
soul of our deceased brother^ we therefore commit his 
body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust 
to dust; looking for the general Resurrection in the last 
day, and the life of the world to come, through our 
Lord Jesus Christ; at whose second coming in glorious 
majesty to judge the world, the earth and the sea shall 
give up their dead; and the corruptible bodies of those 
who sleep in him shall be changed, and made like unto 
his own glorious body; according to the mighty work- 
ing whereby he is able to subdue all things unto hunself 

I HEARD a voice from heaven, saying unto me, 
Write, From henceforth blessed are the dead who 
die in the Lord: even so saith the Spirit ; for they rest 
from their labours {Rev. xiv. 13). 

OUR Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy 
Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done 
on earth. As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily 
bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive 
those who trespass against us. And lead us not into 
temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen. 

ALMIGHTY God, with whom do live the spirits 
of those who depart hence in the Lord, and 
with whom the souls of the faithful, after they are de- 
Hvered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and 
felicity; We give thee- hearty thanks for the good exam- 
ples of all those thy servants, who, having finished their 
c:ourse in faith, do now rest from their labours. And 




38 



Mcknm, (icon's 'BmtutiQn. 



we beseech thee, that we, with all those who are de- 
parted in the true faith of thy holy Name, may have our 
perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, 
in thy eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O MERCIFUL God, the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, who is the resurrection and the life; in 
whom whosoever believeth, shall live, though he die; 
and whosoever liveth, and believeth in him, shall not 
die eternally; who also hath taught us, by his holy 
Apostle Saint Paul, not to be sorry, as men without 
hope, for those who sleep in him; We humbly beseech 
thee, O Father, to raise us from the death of sin unto 
the life of righteousness; that, when we shall depart this 
life, we may rest in him; and that, at the general Res- 
urrection in the last day, we may be found acceptable in 
thy sight; and receive that blessing, which thy well-be- 
loved Son shall then pronounce to all who love and fear 
thee, saying, Come, ye blessed children of my Father, 
receive the kingdom prepared for you from the begin- 
ning of the world. Grant this, we beseech thee, O 
merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator 
and Redeemer. Amen. 

THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love 
of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, 
be with us all evermore. Amen. 



( Read exhortation in ' ' Visitation of the sick, " /. 1 8 . j 

SEE now that I, even I, am He, and there is no God 
with Me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and 
I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of My 
hand {Deut. xxxii. 39). The Lord killeth, and maketh 
alive; He bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 
He will keep the feet of His saints, and the wicked 



Sickness, (!BraU*s Ftsitation. 



39 



shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man 
prevail (i Sam. ii. 6, 9). Affliction cometh not forth 
of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the 
ground; I would seek unto God, and unto God would 
I commit my cause: for He maketh sore, and bindeth 
up: He woundeth, and His hands make whole. And 
thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; 
and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin 
{fob V. 6, 8, 18, 24). In my prosperity I said, I shall 
never be removed: Thou, Lord, of Thy goodness, hast 
made my hill so strong. Thou didst turn Thy face 
from me, and I was troubled. Then cried I unto 
Thee, O Lord: and gat me to my Lord right humbly. 
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; Lord, be 
Thou my helper {Ps. xxx. 6, 7, 8, it). I will be his 
Father, and he shall be ]My son. If he commit 
iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and 
with the stripes of the children of men: but My mercy 
shall not depart away from him (2 Sa?n. vii. 14, 15). 
If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 
But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, 
that we should not be condemned with the world (i 
Cor. xi. 31, 32). Who knoweth not that the hand of 
the Lord hath wrought this, in Whose hand is the soul 
of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind 
{Job xii. 9, 10). Who is he that saith, and it cometh 
to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not.? Let us 
search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. 
Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in 
the heavens {Lam. iii. 37, 40, 41). 



OGOD, our first Beginning and our last End; help 
us to receive affliction as from Thy hand. Thy 
right it is to do with us as Thou wilt, and never will 
Thy Fatherly goodness suffer us to be troubled without 
cause: yet, remembering whereof we are made, and 
that we are but dust, chasten us not in Thy heavy dis- 
pleasure, but as the children of Thy love. And as we 
are members — though erring and unworthy — of Thy 
Well-beloved Son, let His perfect obedience, His pas- 



40 



Sickness, (UrotJ's 'Bisitatim. 



sion and death plead for us, and for the sake of His 
infinite merits leave us not without the comforts of Thy 
grace and saving health; through the same, Thy Son, 
Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

OGod, All-Holy; teach us to know our sinfulness 
and Thy hatred of sin; that we may be filled 
with a godly sorrow, and so bewail our offences that we 
may be reconciled to Thee by a true repentance; for the 
sake of . . . 

ALMIGHTY God; have mercy upon us Thy un- 
worthy servants; remember not our iniquities; 
spare us, good Lord, spare Thy people whom Thou 
hast redeemed; that we who of our wilfulness have 
offended Thee may of Thy mercy be pardoned; for the 
sake of . . . 

HIDE not, O Lord, as in anger the face of Thy 
mercy from us who repent; nor enter Thou into 
judgment with us, O Lord, in Whose sight no man 
living shall be justified; but quickly hear and help us 
who hope in Thee alone, and lift up our souls to the 
fountain of Thy grace. Let us hear Thy loving-kind- 
ness betimes, and show Thou us Thy way, that walking 
rightly in it we may finally attain to our heavenly home; 
through . . . 

O ALMIGHTY God, Who when we were in the 
bondage of sin didst send. Thy Son Jesus Christ 
to be our Deliverer; have mercy upon us as our trust is 
in Thee. Quicken our hearts with grateful love, that 
we may come to Thee with such sincerity of confession 
as shall enable us, whilst accepting every discipline of 
Thy fatherly love, still to have faith and sure confidence 
in Thine inexhaustible mercy. Reveal unto us the 
efficacy of the death and passion of Thy dear Son as the 
atonement for all sin. Open our eyes that we may un- 
derstand the law of Thy new covenant, and may realize 
the Divine and comlfortable assistance of our Great 
High-Priest in the ministry of reconciliation committed 
to Thy holy Church. Stablish us with Thy free Spirit 



JFor 0ur profit. 



41 



in the joyous obedience of Thy children. Bring us 
under the shelter of Thy wings, that we may be kept in 
Thy peace, and praise Thee as the God of our health 
fbr ever; through the merits of . . . 

OLORD God of all heavenly power, Who dost 
drive away disease and infirmity from these 
bodies of our frailness and mortality, by the might of 
Thy Divine command; mercifully send aid to this Thy 
servant, and so put away Ai's weakness and restore h's 
strength that /le may speedily with renewed health praise 
Thy holy Name; through . . . 

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, by Whose 
Providence all things are ordered in heaven and 
in earth: look graciously upon Thy servant visited with 
Thine hand. May /le see herein a sign of Thy ever- 
watchful care and loving-kindness, and learn to realize 
more deeply the nearness of Thy presence. And grant 
that examining with all diligence h's state in Thy sight, 
and truly seeking forgiveness and strength of Thee, Ais 
sickness may be profitable unto him; through . . . 

Benediction. 

ALMIGHTY God put away from thee all hurtful 
things, and mercifully pour down upon thee the 
abundance of His blessing. 



for out ^toftt^ 



{Read exhortation in ' ' Vintation of the Sick, " /. 1 8 . ) 

I KNOW, O Lord, that Thy judgments are right, and 
that Thou of very faithfulness hast caused me to 
be troubled {Ps. cxix. 75). Behold, happy is the man 
whom God correcteth; therefore despise not thou the 
chastening of the Almighty {Job v. 17). He knoweth 
the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall 
come forth as gold {Job xxiii. 10). We glory in trib- 
ulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 



42 



Jor our Profit* 



and patience, experience: and experience, hope: and 
hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God 
is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost Which 
is given unto us {Rom. v. 3, 4, 5). It became Him, 
for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, 
in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain 
of their Salvation perfect through sufferings. {Heb. ii. 
10). Who in the days of His flesh, when He had 
offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying 
and tears unto Him That was able to save Him from 
death, and was heard in that He feared; though He were 
a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which 
He suffered {Heb. v. 7, 8). I am the true Vine, and 
My Father is the Husbandman. Every branch in Me 
that beareth not fruit He taketh away; and every branch 
that beareth fruit He purgeth it, that it may bring forth 
more fruit {St. John xv. i, 2). Now no chastening for 
the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: never- 
theless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of 
righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 
{Heb. xii. 11). Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be 
at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Receive, 
I pray thee, the law from His mouth, and lay up His words 
in thy heart. Then shall thou have thy delight in the 
Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto GoJ. Thou 
shalt make thy prayer unto Him, and He shall hear 
thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows {Job xxii. 21, 22, 26, 
27). 



OLord God, Who lightenest every man that cometh 
into the world; let the light of Thy Holy Spirit 
shine into our hearts, that we may fully know our 
sins both of omission and of commission, and may con- 
fess them truly, and amend our lives to Thy honor and 
glory, attaining by Thy mercy unto the salvation of our 
souls; through . . . 

O ETERNAL God, Whose being was before the 
mountains were brought forth or ever the earth 
and the world were made, even from everlasting and 



JFor our ^xafit. 



43 



world without end; have mercy upon us, children of 
men, who fade away suddenly like the grass: remove our 
misdeeds from before Thee, and our secret sins from 
the light of Thy countenance: be gracious unto us in 
the pardon of all our offences, in restraining the power 
and malice of our spiritual foes, and in giving us 
opportunities and means of grace: and so teach us to 
number our days that we may apply our hearts unto 
wisdom; through . . . 

O PITIFUL Lord, and most merciful Redeemer, 
Who seest us and knowest all our thoughts, and 
Who dost weigh in Thy just balance our mistakes and 
our transgressions; though our sins call loudly to Thy 
justice, yet do our miseries and our needs cry more 
loudly to Thy compassion and Thy infinite mercies. 
Great as is our ill-desert, it cannot exceed Thy power to 
redeem us and Thy grace to forgive: nor can we long to 
be saved so much as Thou dost long to save us. Enter 
Thou, Loving Lord, into our hearts: cast out from 
thence Thy enemies; cherish there the fruits of Thy 
Holy Spirit; and grant unto us submissive and untiring 
obedience to Thy will, righteous and pure desires, and 
a spirit of constant prayer. Light of the world, enlighten 
us: Life of the sinful, grant us life: Fountain of love, 
fill us with love of Thee, and in that love sanctify us 
wholly: Heavenly Physician, heal us, in body and in 
soul; for Thou oniy hast power; and make us to desire 
so to be healed as Thou, All-Wise, wouldest have us to 
be. And bring us, we beseech Thee, unto Thy King- 
dom, where, with the Father and the Holy Ghost . . . 

OLORD God, our Father, our Guardian and our 
Guide, we are strangers upon the earth, far 
removed from our country, in darkness, and walking in 
the shadow of death; let not Thy commandments be 
hidden from us; open our eyes with the light of Thy 
Holy Spirit, that we may see the wondrous things of Thy 
law, and give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory, and 
adore Thy majesty, and obey all Thy righteous pre- 
cepts. O quicken us according to Thy word, refresh 



44 



jFor our Profits 



our weariness, comfort our sadness, and set us at liberty 
from the bondage of sin, from the fetters of temptation 
and from the vanities of the world, that we may come 
at last to the land of eternal rest and righteousness; 
through . . . 

GRANT, O Lord, that we may never sleep in sin, 
nor in death eternal, but may have our part in 
the first resurrection, that the second death may have 
upon us no power; and that in the day when Thou 
makest up Thy jewels, our souls may be numbered 
among the righteous; through . . . 

OMOST merciful Lord, Who healest the inward 
man by outward affliction, and by troubles in 
this world dost prepare us for eternal joys in the world 
to come; by that cup of sorrow which Thou drankest 
for us, and by that weary path in which Thou didst 
walk, grant that we may willingly drink of Thy cup, 
and with a good courage follow^ Thee along the road 
where Thou hast gone before; Who, with . . . 

OSON of God, our Saviour, True Word of the 
Father, by Whom all things were made, and 
Who didst create us for happiness and not for sufferings, 
and not for sickness but for health; make us to know 
and feel that all our times are in Thy hand, and if Thou 
sendest upon us trouble, it is for our profit that we may 
be partakers of Thy holiness. Grant to us a constant 
trust in Thee, Who art ever touched with the feeling of 
our infirmities and Who makest all things work together 
for good to them that love Thee. Strengthen our 
weakness, give unto us grace to bear every cross, loose 
us from every bond of evil, and by Thy Holy Spirit 
pour into our hearts love for Thy law, obedience to Thy 
doctrine, and submission to Thy will. Help us to live 
as Thou dost command and to die unto all that Thou 
dost forbid. And as Thou hast created us for Thyself, 
so may we wholly give ourselves unto Thee, and in 
Thee find our rest; Who, with . . . 



C0nbicticin of ^in. 



45 



OGOD, the Life of the faithful, and the Bhss of the 
righteous; mercifully receive the prayers of Thy 
suppliants, that the souls which thirst for Thy prom- 
ises may evermore be filled from Thine abundance; 
through . . . 

OLORD Almighty, King of saints. Who correctest 
us but givest us not over unto death. Who up- 
holdest all such as fall and liftest up all those that are 
down, and Who orderest the bodily afflictions of men; 
we pray Thee to send Thy mercy upon us for our heal- 
ing in body and in soul. Deliver us from all suffering, 
disease, and weakness. Be Thou the Physician of this 
Thy servant, raise him from the bed of sickness and 
infirmity, and restore him in health to Thy Church, that 
doing Thj will he may in all things please Thee; 
through . . . 

Benediction, 

CHRIST, the Son of God, Who bore the shame of 
the cross in the body of our mortality, deliver 
thee from every hurtful suffering of pain. 

Repentance* 

I. — Cou&tctton of $tn. 

SEEK ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye 
upon Him while He is near; let the wicked for- 
sake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: 
and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have 
mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abun- 
dantly pardon {Isa. Iv. 6, 7). In those days came John 
the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and 
saying, Repent ye; for the Kingdom of heaven is at 
hand {St. Matt, iii. i, 2). He that covereth his sins 
shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh 
them shall have mercy {Prov. xxviii. 13). It is of the 
Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His 
compassions fail not {Lam. iii. 22). If we say that we 



46 



have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not 
in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just 
to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un- 
righteousness (i St. John \. 8, 9). Return, thou back- 
sliding Israel, saith the Lord: and I will not cause Mine 
anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the 
Lord, and I will not keep anger forever. Only ac- 
knowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed 
against the Lord thy God, and ye have not obeyed My 
voice, saith the Lord {Jer. iii. 12, 13). Now after that 
John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, 
preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and 
saying, The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God 
is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel {^St. Mark 
i. 14, 15). Come now, and let us reason together, 
saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they 
shall be as white as snow; though they be red like 
crimson, they shall be as wool {Isa. i. 18). If thou 
shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find Him, if 
thou seek Him wdth all thy heart and with all thy soul. 
When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are 
come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn 
to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto His 
voice; (for the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) He 
will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget 
the covenant of thy fathers which He sware unto them 
{Deui, iv. 29-31). There is joy in the presence of the 
angels of God over one sinner that repenteth (^SL Luke 
XV. 10). 



OGOD, in Whose sight the very heavens are not 
clean, and Who chargest even Thine angels 
with folly; mercifully enHghten our souls that we may 
see our weakness and sin, and with all lowliness of heart 
turn unto Thee the only Giver of all goodness; 
through ... 

OGOD, Who gavest such grace of humility unto 
Thy holy Aposde St Paul that he acknowledged 
himself the chief of sinners; grant that we who are still 



ConiJicttott of Bin. 



47 



lagging behind in the race of salvation may so bewail 
our sins and offences as to find mercy with Thee; 
through . . . 

OGod, Who art of purer eyes than to behold in- 
iquity; mercifully grant unto us such a sense of 
sin that we may receive cleansing; and such cleansing 
that we may be made pure in heart and may see Thee 
tor evermore; through .... 

OGOD, Righteous Father, Whose mercy is as great 
as our unworthiness; we implore Thee for the 
sake of Thy Son our Saviour to be merciful to this Thy 
servant. Awaken km to repentance; and wash away we 
pray Thee ki's sins, their guilt and their stain; and re- 
member them no more. Make Mm so truly penitent 
and believing that if it please Thee to raise Aim up 
again, /le may lead a new life, in Thy fear and to Thy 
glory; or else, so prepare h'm against the day of death, 
that may depart hence with a sure trust in Thy mercy 
in our Lord Jesus Christ, and a peaceful hope of the 
resurrection at the last day. Hear us, O Father, for 
the sake of 'Him Who died to save us from eternal 
death. Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Saviour. 

OGOD, Restorer and Lover of innocency, Who 
hast said, by the mouth of Thy prophet " As I 
live, I desire not the death of a sinner, but rather that 
he may be converted and live''; we humbly and devoutly 
pray Thee to stretch forth Thy merciful hand unto Thy 
fallen servants, to lift them out of the dust, and to 
cleanse and save them from all their sins; through . . . 

HEAR our prayers, O Lord, and let not the com- 
passion of Thy mercy be far from Thy ser- 
vants; heal their wounds, pardon their sins, that no 
iniquities may part them from Thee, but that they may 
ever cling unto Thee their God; through . . . 

OTHOU Who art good, and the fountain of mercy 
to all who with fervent faith come unto Thee; de- 
liver Thy servant from all h's infirmities, heal /lis sick- 
ness, and grant unto h'm Thy divine grace; through . . . 



48 



O ALMIGHTY God, Who alone canst order the 
unruly wills and affections of sinful men; let 
Thy merciful ears be open to our prayers on behalf of 
Thy servant; make him to know his danger; convince 
him of the guilt of his sins; show him the certainty of the 
judgment tc come, that so turning to Thee now with 
humble confession of his sins, and hearty desire of 
amendment, he may hereafter experience Thy pardon- 
ing love, and be admitted into Thy heavenly kingdom; 
for the sake of . . . 

EVERLIVING God, Searcher of hearts; make 
known to us the charge that lies so heavily 
against us that we may confess and bewail, abhor and 
forsake our sins. Have mercy upon us, have mercy 
upon us, Most Merciful Father, Who desirest not the 
death of a sinner: for Thy Son Jesas Christ's sake for- 
give us all that is past; and by Thy mighty grace con- 
firm and strengthen us in all goodness during the 
remainder of our lives, that our death may be blessed, 
and that we may find mercy at the .great day; 
through . . . 

OGOD, let Thy glory be magnified by saving a 
sinner, by redeeming a captive slave, by enlight- 
ening a soul overwhelmed in darkness, by changing a 
wicked heart, by pardoning innumerable transgressions, 
iniquities and sins. Apply unto us all the life-giving 
medicines of Thy Son's passion, death and resurrection 
to save us against the powers of Satan, against weakness 
and despair. Thou never failest them that seek Thee. 
Let us who seek Thee be found of Thee, and be kept 
by Thee unto obedience in this world and everlasting 
life in the world to come; through . . . 

OMOST merciful God; grant us, we pray Thee, 
Thy grace by which we may trustfully cling unto 
Thee in joy and sorrow. May we love and fear Thee, 
and praise and adore Thee. O Father, Thy will be 
done in us, for thy judgments are right, and Thou of 
Thy faithfulness hast caused us to be troubled. Blessed 



Confession of <^m. 



40 



be Thy Name for evermore; and since Thou alone 
knowest what is good for us, do with us whatever may- 
be for our salvation and Thy glory; through . . . 

Benediction. 

THE Lamb of God Who taketh away the sins of 
the world grant to thee a penitent spirit and 
bestow upon thee the gifts of His salvation. 



M.— Confession of 



O ISRAEL, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou 
hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you 
words, and turn to the Lord: say unto Him, Takeaway 
all iniquity, and receive us graciously. I will heal 
their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine 
anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew 
unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his 
roots as Lebation. Who is wise, and he shall under- 
stand these things } prudent, and he shall know them t 
for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall 
walk in them {Hos. xiv. i, 2, 4, 5, 9). He looketh 
upon men, and if any oay, I have sinned, and perverted 
that which was right, and it profited me not; He will 
deliver his soul from going mto the pit, and his life 
shall see the light (^Job xxxiii. 27, 28). I will arise and 
go to my Father, and will say unto Him, Father, I 
have sinned against heaven, and before Thee, and am 
no more worthy to be called Thy son (^St, Luke xv. 18, 
19). Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have 
borne chastisement, I will not offend any more: that 
which I see not teach Thou me: if I have done 
iniquity, I will do no more i^Job xxxiv. 31, 32). I 
will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have 
sinned against Him, until He plead my cause, and 
execute judgment for me: He will bring me forth to the 



50 



light, and I shall behold His righteousness. Who is a 
God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and 
passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His 
heritage ? He retaineth not His anger for ever, because 
He dehghteth in mercy. He will turn again, He will 
have compassion upon us: He will subdue our iniqui- 
ties; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths 
of the sea {Mwak vii. 9, 18, 19). Then Job answered 
the Lord, and said, I know that Thou canst do every- 
thing, and that no thought can be withholden from 
Thee. I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the 
ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee. Wherefore I abhor 
myself, and repent in dust and ashes {/od xlii. i, 2, 5, 
6). All things are of God, Who hath reconciled us to 
Himself by Jesus Christ* and hath given to us the minis- 
try of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, 
reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their 
trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the 
word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors 
for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we 
pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 
For He hath made Him to be sin for us. Who knew no 
sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God 
in Him (2 Cor. v. 18-21). [Fsa/ms vi. xxxii. xxxviii. 
li. cii. cxxx. cxliii. Daniel ix. 4-19. Si. Lu/^e xv.] 



O ALMIGHTY Judge, Who visitest Thy servants 
with temporal punishments that their souls may 
be saved in Thy great day; correct this Thy servant, 
who is willing to bear chastisement for Ms sins in this 
life that thou may est not punish h'm in the life to come; 
and grant tlmt/ie may so be judged by thee for h's sins 
and so judge himself for them here, that he may have 
nothing but mercy, without judgment, to receive at Thy 
hands hereafter; through . . . 

OLORD, as we add day to day, so sin to sin. 
But we turn with groans from our evil ways, 
and with all the heart turn unto Thea. We repent, 
help Thou our impenitence. Have mercy upon us 



Confession of ^m* 



51 



after Thy great goodness, according to the multitude 
of Thy mercies do away our offences. Remit the guilt, 
heal the wound, blot out the stains, clear away the 
shame, rescue from the tyranny of them. From secret 
faults cleanse us, from presumptous sins keep us back. 
Our wanderings of mind and idle talking lay not to our 
charge. Remove the dark and muddy flood of foul 
and wicked thoughts. Deal not with us after our sins, 
neither reward us after our iniquities. Look mercifully 
upon our infirmities; and for the glory of Thy All-Holy 
Name turn from us all those ills and miseries which by 
our sms are most righteously and worthily deserved : and 
lift up our hearts to have hope in Thy mercy; 
through . . . 

OTHOU Who in mercy and compassion healest 
our diseases of body and of soul, O Thou Great 
Physician heal him who lieth here in sickness, and grant 
him Thy salvation; Who livest . . . 

BY Thy overflowing mercy, heal, O merciful God, the 
pains, the weakness, and the increasing sickness 
of this Thy servant, whose strength faileth him through 
the sharpness of his sufferings, that being delivered he 
may gratefully give thanks unto Thee; through . . . 

OLORD God, forgive our sins, and grant us Thy 
mercy that hearkening unto the prayer of our 
lips Thou mayest look upon the lowliness and suffering 
of Thy servant. Loose hts bonds, blot out his offences, 
regard his distress, drive away his trouble, and in Thy 
bountiful mercy fulfil our petitions; through . . . 

OLORD Jesus Christ, for our sakes wast Thou born, 
for our sakes didst Thou hunger and thirst, for 
our sakes didst Thou teach and pray, for our sakes 
didst Thou suffer, and give Thy life over unto death. 
As Thou dost make us to share in Thy sufifermgs, make 
us to share also in Thy merits. May Thy blood wash 
away the stains of our sins. May Thy righteousness 
cleanse away our unrighteousnesses. May Thy merits 
plead for us when we stand before Thee as our Judge. 



52 



iFaitfj in e^oU tije Jatfjer. 



As sickness increases on this Thy servant so do Thou 
increase unto /iim Thy grace. Let not h's faith waver, 
nor Ais hope fail, nor Ais love wax cold. Lc;t not the 
dread of death cause /im to cast away h's confidence in 
Thee, or to place it anywhere but in Thee, but looking 
steadfastly unto Thee to the last let /lim say, into Thy 
hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;" to vVhom be 
honor and praise, world without end . . . 

Benediction. 

OUR Saviour, Christ, Who comforteth us in all our 
tribulation, support thee in trial and grant thee 
His peace. Amen. 



^r^HOU wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind 
X is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. 
Trust ye in the Lord forever, for in the Lord Jehovah is 
everlasting strength {Isa. xxvi. 3, 4), The Lord is 
good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He 
knoweth them that trust in Him {Nahu?ni. 7). Blessed 
is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope 
the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the 
waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, 
and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall 
be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought 
neither shall cease from yielding fruit {/er. xvii. 7 8). 
God is love. In this was manifested the love of God 
toward us, because that God sent His only-begotten Son 
into the world, that we might live through Him. 
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but thai He 
loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for 
our sins (i St. John iv. 8, 9, 10). What shall we then 
say to these things } If God be for us, who can be 
against us.? He that spared not His own Son, but 
delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with 
Him also freely give us all things .^^ {Rom, viii. 31, 32). 
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not 



53 



unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways ac- 
knowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths (Prov. 
iii. 5, 6). Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him 
i^Job xiii. 15). Behold, God is my salvation; I will 
trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my 
strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. 
Sing unto the Lord; for He hath done excellent things: 
this is known in all the earth {Isa. xii. 2, 5). The 
Lord liveth; and blessed be my strong Helper, and 
praised be the God of my salvation {Ps. xviii. 47). Be 
ye sure that the Lord He is God; it is He That hath 
made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and 
the sheep of His pasture. Be thankful unto Him, and 
speak good of His Name; for the Lord is gracious, His 
mercy is everlasting: and His truth endureth from gen- 
eration to generation {Ps. c. 2, 3, 4). 



WE beseech Thee, O Lord, hear us Thy servants, 
whom Thou hast enabled to put our trust in 
Thee; and grant us both to ask such things as shall 
please Thee, and also to obtain what we ask; 
through . . . 

OGOD, the Truth, and the Everlasting Light, Who 
hast made faith the beginnmg of man's salvation, 
and the foundation of all righteousness, enlighten and 
strengthen our hearts by Thy Spirit, that believing Thy 
word, and confessing that which we believe, we may 
attain unto the end of our faith, even the salvation of 
our souls; through . . . 

OGOD, beneath Whose eyes every heart trembles, 
and all consciences are afraid; be merciful to the 
groanings of all, and heal the wounds of all; that as not 
one of us is free from fault, so not one may be shut out 
fi-om pardon; through . . . 

OLORD Jesus Christ, in union with Thy sorrow, 
whereby Thou tookest upon Thyself the cause 
of sorrow, and becamest a remedy for our sins, we 
acknowledge before Thee all our manifold transgres- 



54 



JaitJj in (KoU tlje jFatfjer* 



sions, the evil we have done, the good we have left un- 
done, and what we have done carelessly, or without a 
pure intention, even as Thou knowest them all in full 
number, weight, and measure. O Lord, the deep of 
our misery calleth unto the deep of Thy pity. Thou 
hatest nothing that Thou hast made: grant to us Thy 
forgiveness now in the season of mercy and grace, 
and while the time of amendment lasts enable us to 
attain to the glory of Thy blessing, that in the day of 
judgment Thy terrible curse fall not upon us; hear us, 
we beseech Thee for Thy mercy's sake; Wholivest . . . 

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, from Whom 
cometh down every good and perfect gift, and 
Who hast taught us to take no anxious thoughts about 
our life, but to trust all to Thy fatherly care; give us 
grace to rest with perfect confidence upon Thy goodness 
and love; help us to cast away all faithless and murmur- 
ing thoughts; strengthen us to believe in Thee as our 
Father in heaven, and in all our earthly anxieties and 
troubles and sorrows to look up to Thee as children to 
their father, and to commit ourselves with patience into 
Thy hands, knowing that Thou wilt never fail us if we 
put our whole trust in Thee; and this we beg for the 
sake of . . . 

OLORD, Holy Father, Physician of our souls and 
bodies, Who didst send Thine Only-Eegotten 
Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to heal all sickness and to 
ransom us from death; heal this Thy servant from the 
infirmities of /lis soul and body, through the grace of 
Thine Anointed; and quicken h'm so to perform Thy 
good pleasure that /le may in all holiness give Thee due 
thanks and adoration; through . . . 

Benedictio7t. 

THE blessing of God, the Father, the Son, and the 
Holy Ghost, descend upon thee and all belong- 
ing to thee, and dwell in thy heart, and be with thee in 
thy going out and thy coming in, now and for ever. 



JFafti) in ^oti tfje Son. 



55 



faitlj tit (0oi5 ti^e ^on. 



BUT now the righteousness of God without the law 
is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the 
prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by 
faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that 
believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, 
and come short of the glory of God; being justified 
freely by His grace through the redemption that is in 
Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a Propi- 
tiation through faith in His blood, to declare His 
righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, 
through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at 
this time. His righteousness: that Fie might be just, 
and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus (Rom. 
iii. 21-26). When the fulness of the time was come, God 
sent forth His Son, made of U woman, made under the 
law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we 
might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye 
are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of 'His Son into 
your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art 
no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an 
heir of God, through Christ {Ga^. Iv. 4-7). This is a 
faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that 
Christ Jesus came into the wc-ld to save smners (i Tim. 
i. 15). Neither is there salvation in any other: for there 
is none other name under heaven given among men, 
whereby we must be saved {Ac^s iv. 12). Who is He 
that condemneth ? It is Christ That died, yea rather, 
That is risen again, Who is even at the right hand of 
God, Who also maketh intercession for us {Rom. viii. 
34). If, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to 
God by the death of Ilis Son, much more, being 
reconciled, we shall be saved by His life {Rom. v. 10). 
If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, 
Jesus Christ the Righteous: and He is the Propitiation 
for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins 
of the whole world (i S/. John ii. i, 2). Christ hath 



56 



jFattf) in (KoU tfje ^on. 



once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that 
He might bring us to God (i S^. Peter iii. i8). He is 
able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto 
God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make interces- 
sion for them {Heb. vii. 25). Seeing then that we h?^^^ 
a great High Priest, That is passed into the heavens, 
Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 
For we have not an High Priest Which cannot be 
touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in 
all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let 
us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that 
we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of 
need (Heb, iv. 14-16). 



OMOST Merciful Lord Jesus Christ, Very God, 
full of loving-kindness and truth; have pity on 
us according to the multitude of Thy mercies. We 
pray Thee, by Thy most precious Blood which Thou 
didst shed upon the altar of the Cross for us miserable 
sinners, take away our sins and turn not Thyself from 
us, who though unworthy humbly entreat Thee, and call 
for mercy upon Thy most holy Name; Who, with . . . 

O LOVING Saviour, Who wast once a man of sor- 
rows and acquainted with grief that Thou 
mightest bear our griefs and carry our sorrows, even all 
the sufi'erings of all Thy children through all the 
groaning generations, and this very burden also press- 
ing heavily here; make us willing and trustful to know 
the fellowship of Thy sufferings, and in holiness and 
obedience of life the power of Thy resurrection: that 
when Thy ransomed ones shall return and come to 
Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads, 
we may with them praise Thee with all thankfulness; 
Who, with . . . 

O SAVIOUR divine, and gracious Shepherd of our 
souls. Who didst come down from heaven to 
seek and save the lost; we bless Thee for Thy good- 
ness, and confess our need of Thee; for we are astray 
and in misery, wanting in holiness, wounded by many 



JFaitl) m (Boa tfje ^on. 



57 



sins, and of slow and feeble steps in the heavenly way. 
Receive our penitent prayers and grant us Thy merciful 
forgiveness: and because \ve are poor in virtues and 
often without strong desires after true righteousness, 
help us by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, supply- 
ing unto our souls what is lacking, and cherishing that 
which Thou hast begun in us. Keep we pray Thee our 
names written amongst those who are Thine, in Thy 
book of life. Take away from our hearts all that blinds 
or hinders them from seeing, knowing, receiving and 
loving Thee. May Thy will be wholly done in us: and 
if this weary flesh would have aught else than that which 
Thou seest to be best, Oh control and sustain us in 
body and soul that we may be submissive to Thy love, 
and find our rest in Thee, both here and hereafter; 
Who livest . . . 

OLORD Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, Who didst 
come into the world to make reconciliation fOr 
sinful men, and to save them from the punishment 
which sin deserved; give us grace to rest in faith on Thy 
one sacrifice offered upon the Cross for all ; and to be- 
lieve in Thee with our whole souls as the Lamb of God 
Which taketh away the sins of the world. O Lord, 
hear us; O Lord, plead for us; O Lord, increase our 
faith; and at last take us to Thyself; Who, with . . . 

O GRACIOUS Lord, by Whose word man lives and 
not by any human means alone; direct, we pray 
Thee, the counsels of those who prescribe to this Thy 
servant, and prosper the medicines which are used to 
procure /lim ease and strength. As their part who ad- 
minister to /lim is the care, so let Thine be the blessing, 
and Ais the comfort; and as /le regards them as Thy in- 
struments, so let h'm own Thee as the Author of h's 
meicies, and to Thee give thanks, and pay h's vows and 
services; through . . . 

Benediction, 

GOD, the Ever-blessed Trinity, be gracious unto 
thee, sustain thee in His fear and love, and give 
thee peace, now and forevermore. 



53 



f ait^ in dDfoli tl^e i^oli? (tDfl^o^t 



LET not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, 
believe also in Me. In My Father's house are 
many mansions: if it were not so I would have told 
you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go 
and prepare a place for you, 1 will come again, and 
receive you unto Myself: that where I am, there ye may 
be also. If ye love Me, keep My commandments. 
And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you 
another Comforter, that He may abide with you for 
ever; even the Spirit of truth; Whom the world cannot 
receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: 
but ye know Him, for He dwelleth with you, and shall 
be in you. These things have I spoken unto you, 
being yet present with you. But the Comforter, Which 
is the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My 
name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all 
things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said 
unto you. Peace, I leave with you, My peace I give 
unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. 
Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid 
JoAn xiv. 1-3, 15-17, 25-27). When the Com- 
forter is come. Whom I will send unto you from the 
Father, even the Spirit of truth, Which proceedeth 
from the Father, He shall testify of Me. He will 
guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of 
Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He 
speak: and He will shew you things to come. He 
shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and 
shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father 
hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of 
Mine, and shall shew it unto you i^St. John xv. 26: xvi. 
^3-1 5)- t)y works of righteousness which we have 

done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the 
washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy 
Ghost; Which He shed on us abundantly through 



59 



Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by His 
grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope 
of eternal life (Titus iii. 5-7). Ye are the temple of the 
living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and 
walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall 
be My people (2 Cor. vi. 16). Ye have not received the 
spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the 
Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we 
are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; 
heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that 
we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified 
together {Ro?n. viii. 15, 16, 17). The love of God is 
shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost Which is 
given unto us {Ro7n. v. 5). Likewise the Spirit also 
helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should 
pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Itself maketh inter- 
cession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered 
{Rom. viii. 26). The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, 
peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meek- 
ness, temperance; against such there is no law {Gal. v. 
22, 23). The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; 
and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be 
preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus 
Christ (i Thess. v. 23). 

O ALMIGHTY God, help Thou our weakness, 
and because we can neither do nor even pray 
for what is right, of ourselves, arouse by Thy Holy Spirit 
in our hearts good desires; that by Thy loving-kindness 
there may be given unto us both the will to ask and 
the power to accomplish what is well-pleasing unto 
Thee; through . . . 

OLORD, our Judge and our Redeemer; hearken 
unto us for Thy truth and righteousness' sake; 
deliver us from our sins and from the punishments due 
unto us for the same. Enter not into judgment with 
Thy servants, for in Thy sight shall no man living be 
justified; but look upon us in Thy mercy. Show us 
the way that we should walk in; teach us to do that 



60 



Mil) in ^aH tfje l^olg ^H^ljast. 



which pleaseth Thee; quicken our souls in the path of 
Hfe; let Thy Holy Spirit be ever with us, and bring us 
into the land of perfect righteousness, there to dwell 
with Thee, world without end; Who livest . . . 

LET Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, and thQ 
brightness of Thy Spirit illumine our souls; that 
He may kindle our cold hearts with Thy love, and 
sanctify them with holy desires, healing all our infirm 
ities with His mighty power, Who abideth evermore 
with Thee in glory: through the merits of Christ Jesus 
our Saviour, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and 
the same Spirit, One God, world without end. 

OSUN of righteousness, Who camest to bring light 
into the world by Thy word, and example, and 
by the illumination of Thy Holy Spirit; let Thy Spirit 
lead us, Thy example guide us, and Thy word be our 
instruction; leave not our souls in our own hands but 
keep us under Thy government and care; that apply- 
ing our hearts to accomplish Thy holy will always, even 
unto the end, we may possess Thy righteousness as our 
portion and inheritance forever. Grant this, O blessed 
Jesus, for Thy mercies' sake: Who with . . . 

O LOVING Spirit; lead Thou us forth in the \vays 
of holiness and into the land of righteousness. 
Subdue within us every wrong affection and selfish 
imagination. Teach us to do the Heavenly Father's 
will; and help us to delight in doing it though it be by 
the endurance of weakness and pain. Be Thou ever 
w^ith us, O Fountain of eternal purity and peace. 
Bring to our minds all helpful and holy recollections. 
Fill us with longing for perfect love of Thee, and satisfy 
the desire of our souls with Thy grace, O Life-giving 
Spirit; Whom with the Father and the Son together we 
worship and glorify as One God, world without end. 

O FATHER of mercies, God of love; let not the 
voice of the tempter, or the whispers of doubt 
darken Thy promise to our souls, or drive us from Thy 
side. Forgive every thought of distrust, and help our 



61 



unbelief. Shed abroad Thy love in our hearts by the 
Holy Ghost; for the sake of Him in Whom Thou hast 
made known Thy love, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

OHOLY Spirit of grace; help our infirmities. 
Keep us from every thought displeasing to Thee. 
Make us wise unto salvation. Sanctify us in body and 
soul with Thy heavenly blessings. In us is no merit 
to attract Thy mercy and goodness, but only the need 
and necessity of our misery and blindness: vouchsafe 
unto us Thy pitying and mighty help notwithstanding 
our great unworthiness. Protect us in the trials and 
temptations of this evil world: and by Thy light and 
presence lead us in the way of everlasting life; 
through . . . 

OLORD, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, 
Who dost enable the weakness of man's nature 
by pouring out on it the excellency of Thy strength, 
so that our bodies and souls are quickened by the 
wholesom.e correction of Thy loving-kindness; mercifully 
look upon this Thy servant, that all weight of bodily 
sickness being taken away, the blessing of Ai's former 
health may be restored to /lim; through ... 

OGOD of hope; fill us, we beseech Thee, with all 
joy and peace in believing, that abounding in 
hope through the power of the Holy Ghost, w^e may 
steadily press on to those good things which Thou hast 
promised to those that shall endure unto the end; 
through . . . 

Be7iedictio7i. 




HE grace of the Holy Spirit enlighten thee, and 
bring thee unto joys everlasting. 



62 



JForglijeness of OTrongs i^eceibeU* 



f orgtijenejciji of Mton^^ Beceiijeti. 



HE that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; 
and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh 
a city (Prov. xvi. 32). The discretion of a man 
deferreth his anger: and it is his glory to pass over a 
transgression {Prov. xix. 11). He that hath no rule 
over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, 
and without walls {Prov. xxv. 28). I, therefore, the 
prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy 
of 1;he vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowli- 
ness and meekness, with longsufifering, forbearing one 
another in love; endeavori}ig to keep the unity of the 
Spirit in the bond of peace {Eph. iv. 1-3). Even here- 
unto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, 
leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps; 
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: 
Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again ; when He 
suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself 
to Him that judgeth righteously (i St. Peter \\. 21-23). 
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful 
{St. Luke vi. 36). If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and 
there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against 
thee; leave chere thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; 
first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and 
offer thy gift {St. Matt. v. 23, 24). Lord, how oft shall 
my brother sin against me, and I forgive him ? till seven 
times ? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee until 
seven times: but, until seventy times seven {St. Matt. 
xviii. 21, 22). Love your enemies, bless them that 
curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for 
them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 
that ye may be the children of your Father Which is in 
Heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and 
on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the 
unjust {St. Matt. v. 44, 45). And when ye stand pray- 
ing, forgive, if ye have aught against any; that your 
Father also Which is in Heaven may forgive you your 



trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your 
Father Which is in Heaven forgive your trespasses {S/. 
Mark xi. 25, 26). He shall have judgment without 
mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth 
against judgment {St. fas. ii. 13). Be ye kind one to 
another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as 
God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you {Epk. iv. 32). 
Now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the 
greatest of these is Charity (i Cor. xiii. 13). This is 
My commandment, that ye love one another, as I have 
loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a 
man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are My 
friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you {St. John 
XV. 12-14). 

OSON of the Living God, our Saviour and our 
Life, in all our mortal miseries and sorrows our 
only Help, and our only Source of health; we, adoring 
Thy love, and appealing to Thy mercy, confess unto 
Thee that we have often been forgetful of Thee, obdur- 
ate to Thy counsels, blind to Thy teaching, deaf to Thy 
calls, rebellious against Thy law, pleased with self and 
the world, wearied with spiritual things, loving what 
Thou abhorrest and hating what Thou lovest, and un- 
grateful for Thy mercies: and Thou, true Friend of our 
souls, full of compassion, and longing to bless us with 
Thy salvation. O inllnite Love, forgive: remember not 
our offences, but have compassion on Thy creatures and 
Thy redeemed, whose necessities cry aloud in the ears 
of that love and pity which brought Thee down from 
heaven to seek and save the lost. Melt our coldness 
with the divine fire of Thy love. Help our helpless- 
ness. Restore us unto Thee. Make us to be wholly 
Thine; that we may in all things obey Thee, and be 
ready to suffer according to Thy holy will. Grant this, 
Merciful Saviour, Who, with . . . 

OGOD, Who art slow to anger, and of great kind- 
ness, and ready to forgive; grant unto us to be 
of a mild, a peaceable, a meek, and an humble spirit, 
that remembering our own infirmities we may have for- 



64 Jorigibeness of OTtrongs l^eceibetr. 



bearance towards those of others, and may be patient 
towards all men, gentle and easy to be entreated. Help 
us in overcoming all pride and prejudice, and every wish 
to render evil for evil. Make us disciples not in word 
only but in deed and truth of a lowly Saviour: and for 
lack of showing mercy may we not fail of receiving mercy 
when He cometh to judge the world. Hear us, O 
heavenly Father, for the sake of the same, Jesus Christ, 
our Lord. 

OGOD, Fountain of love: pour Thy love into our 
souls, that we may love those whom Thou 
lovest, with the love Thou givest us, and think and 
speak of them tenderly, meekly, and lovingly; that so 
loving our brethren for Thy sake, we may grow in Thy 
love, and dwelling in love may dwell in Thee; 
through . . . 

GLORY, honor, and praise be to Thee, O Lord Je- 
sus Chri&t; may all the world adore Thee: blessed 
be Thy holy Name, Who for us sinners wast made man, 
and sufferedst death on the cross. O Saviour of man- 
kind, have mercy upon us, and so lead us here by Thy 
grace that we may hereafter rejoice with Thee in glory. 
Forgive our enemies all their sins against Thee, and 
give us that measure of Thy Spirit, that for their ill-will 
we may love them, for their cursing we may bless them, 
for their hatred we may do them good. Give us patience 
under all injuries, and content under all conditions and 
changes. Deliver us from an angry, contentious dispo- 
sition, from an evil tongue and bitter words. Let 
Thy example constrain us, and Thy gentleness soften us, 
even as Thy death by sinners and for sinners bringeth to 
us salvation. Hear us, O forgiving Saviour and Lord; 
Who livest . . . 

BLESSED Jesus, Whose charity all the malice of 
Thy bitterest enemies could not overcome; shed 
abroad in our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, 
the very bond of peace and of all virtues; forgive those 
who have injured us, and grant that as we are all members 
of the same body, have one and the same Father, and 



65 



Saviour, and Spirit of love, and hope to meet in 
the same Paradise, so we may live in mercifulness and 
peace; for Thy sake, Who livest . . . 

OMOST loving Jesus, Pattern of charity, Who 
makest all the commandments of the law to con- 
sist in love towards God and towards man; grant us so 
to love Thee with all our heart, with all our mind, and 
all our soul, and our neighbor for Thy sake, that the 
grace of charity and brotherly love may dwell in us, and 
all envy, harshness, and ill-will may die in us; fill our 
hearts with feelings of love, kindness, and compassion; 
so that by constantly rejoicing in the happiness and 
good success of others, by sympathizing with them in 
their sorrows, and put.ting away all harsh judgments 
and envious thoughts, we may follow Thee, Who art 
Thyself the true and perfect Love; and Who livest . . . 

OMOST meek Jesus, Prince of peace. Who when 
Thou wast reviled, reviled not again, and Who 
on the cross didst pray for Thy murderers; implant and 
cherish in our hearts the virtues of gentleness and 
patience, that restraining the fierceness of anger, impa- 
tience, and resentment, we may overcome evil with good, 
for Thy sake love our enemies, and as children of our 
Heavenly Father seek Thy peace and rejoice in Thy 
love; Who livest . . . 

OLORD, forasmuch as it is an easy thing with Thee 
to give life to the dead; restore, we pray Thee, 
this Thy servant to his former health; and grant that 
seeking the salvation of Thy heavenly mercy, he may 
also find remedy for his bodily ills; through ... 

Benediction. 

THE Lord Jesus Christ Who suffered for thee make 
thee so to bear with Him the cross that thou 
mayest at length attain unto the crown. 



66 



l^eparation for OTrongs Bom. 



Mtpatation for mrongj; ^one» 



AND Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have 
hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said 
unto me, and have made a king over you. And now, 
behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old 
and gray headed; and, behold, my sons are with you; 
and I have walked before you from my childhood unto 
this day. Behold, here I am: witness against me Before 
the Lord, and before His Anointed: whose ox have I 
taken ? or whose ass have I taken ? or whom have I 
defrauded ? whom have I oppressed ? or of whose hand 
have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewiih ? 
and I will restore it you (i Sam, xii. 1-3). Zacchaeus 
stood, and said unto the Lord: behold. Lord, the half 
of my goods I give to the poor: and if L have taken 
anything from any man by false accusation, I restore 
him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is 
salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a 
son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek 
and to save that which was lost {Si Luke xix. 8-10). 
If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had 
robbed, walk in the statutes of life, w^ithout committing 
iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None 
of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned 
unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; 
he shall surely live {Ezek. xxxiii. 15, 16). He there- 
fore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, Who 
hath also given unto us His Holy Spirit (i Thess. iv. 
8). Render therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom 
tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom 
fear; honor to whom honor {Rom. xiii. 7). Then it 
shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he 
shall restore that which he took violently away, or the 
thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which 
was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he 
found, or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; 



a^leyaralifltt for OTrongs JBone* 



67 



he shall even restore it m the principal, and shall add 
the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to 
whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offer- 
ing (Lev. vi. 4, 5). If ye then be risen with Christ, 
seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth 
on the right hand of God. Set yo^r affection on things 
above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, 
and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, 
Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear 
with Him in glory {CoL iii. 1-4). 



OGOD, All Holy; bestow upon us Thy compas- 
sion. We hardly dare to ask what we do not 
deserve to obtain. Let Thy forgiveness comfort those 
whom their guilt alarms. Receive our confession. 
Thou Who only art our hope. Justify and revive us. 
Thou Who justifiest the ungodly and quickenest the 
dead. Spare and pity us, not according to our deserts, 
but according to Thy great mercy. In the boundless- 
ness of Thy loving-kindness receive and save us; 
through ... 

OLORD, rebuke us not in Thy fiery anger, neither 
condemn us forever with the lost. We' acknowl- 
edge our faults and pray for pardon. The remem- 
brance of our sins is heavy upon us; our soul is dis- 
tressed, there is no health in our flesh; forsake us not, 
O Lord our God; withdraw not Thy grace from us; but 
haste Thee to help us, O God of our salvation, for the 
glory of Thy Name; througli . . . 

BLESSED Jesus, Who wast betrayed by one of 
Thy chosen, and wast sold into the hands 
of wicked men, to redeem us from sin and death; 
grant us never to be false to Thee; root out of us the 
love of money, and make us content with that which 
we have; that loving Thee above all things we may 
persevere unto the end, and at last be found in the 
number of Thine elect; through Thy merits, Wlio 
livest . . . 



68 i^eparatton for OTrongs ©one. 



OEVERLIVING God, be Thou our portion and 
the lot of our inheritance, and let Thy lovmg- 
kindness be more to us than life itself Give to us 
repentance and Thy Holy Spirit, that we calling our own 
ways to remembrance may be truly sorrowful for our 
sins past, and may make haste, prolonging not the time, 
but early and instantly turn our feet unto Thy testi- 
monies. Grant that we may so judge ourselves, and so 
do righteously unto all men that we be not condemned 
at the last by Thy righteous judgment. Guide us by 
Thy counsel and help us by Thy grace, that in all 
things we may please Thee both in will and deed; 
through . . . 

'T^HOU God of righteousness and truth, Whose 



blessing resteth only on those who being justifi'^d 
by faith strive to obey Thy just and holy law; mercifully 
blot out our manifold transgressions, which we have 
committed through unbelief toward Thee or injustice 
towards our fellow-men. Bless all those whom we have 
wronged, or defrauded, or scorned, or slighted. Help 
us to restore ^ to them fourfold for every injury, and 
henceforth to walk with them in uprightness and true 
charity. And so may Thy benediction rest on our 
souls, our families, and on Thy Church in which we 
are members; through . . . 

OMOST just and holy God, Who bast commanded 
us to make restitution to those to whom we 
have done any wrong; give this Thy servant grace, we 
beseech Thee, that in what instance soever he may have 
injured another, whether in soul or body, in estate or 
reputation, he may make satisfaction and reparation to 
the uttermost of his po\ver. And where his own ability 
shall fail, we most earnestly pray Thee not to avenge 
upon his head the cause of the injured; but Thine Own 
Self doing right to the wronged, according to Thy 
accustomed goodness, exact not of him that which Thou 
suppliest for him; and this we beg for Jesus Christ's 
sake 




iSefore fEakiuQ a mill 



69 



A L:\IIGHTY and Everlasting God, Who helpest 
them that are in danger and necessity, and with 
mercy temperest Thy chastisements; we humbly beseech 
Thee that Thou wouldest visit this Thy servant, and 
raise h'm up from this sickness wherewith /le is afflicted, 
and restore /im whole to Thy Church; through . . . 

Benediction. 

OD Who bringeth to light the hidden things of 



the hearts, give unto thee the knowledge of thyself in 
the face of Christ Jesus our Lord, and also grace and 
obedience through the Same unto everlasting life. 



EACH me to do the thing that pleaseth Thee; for 



Thou art my God: let Thy loving Spirit lead me 
forth into the land of righteousness. Quicken me, O 
Lord, for Thy Name's sake; and for Thy righteousness' 
i^ake bring my soul out of trouble {Ps. cxliii. lo, ii). 
Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not 
live (2 Kings xx. i). Owe no man anything, but to love 
one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled 
the law {Rom. xiii. 8). While we have time let us do 
good unto all men, and especially unto them that are 
of the household of faith {Gal. vi. 10). Blessed is he 
that considereth the poor and needy; the Lord shall 
deliver him in the time of trouble. The Lord preserve 
him, and keep him alive, that he may be blessed upon 
earth; and deliver not Thou him into the will of his 
enemies. The Lord comfort him when he lieth sick 
upon his bed; make Thou all his bed in his sickness 
{Ps. xli. 1-3). A small thing that the righteous hath, 
is better than great riches of the ungodly. The Lord 
knoweth the days of the godly; and their inheritance 
shall endure forever. They shall not be confounded in 




maketh manifest the counsels of 




70 



mm IHafemg a mill 



the perilous time; and in the days of dearth they shall 
have enough. The ungodly borroweth, and payeth not 
again, but the righteous is merciful and liberal. Such 
as are blessed of God shall possess the land; and they 
that are cursed of Him shall be rooted out. The Lord 
ordereth a good man's going, and maketh his way accept- 
able to Himself. Though he fall, he shall not be cast 
away; for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand. I 
have been young, and now am old, and yet saw I never 
the righteous foi-saken, nor his seed begging their bread. 
The righteous is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed 
is blessed {Fs, xxxvii. 16, 18, 19, 21-26). He that 
hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and 
that which he hath given will He pay him again (Frov. xix. 
17). The Lord Himself is the portion of mine inheri- 
tance, and of my cup; Thou shalt maintain my lot. 
The lot is fallen unto me in a fair ground; yea, I have a 
goodly heritage. I will thank the Lord for giving me 
warning. Thou shalt show me the path of life: in Thy 
presence is the fulness of joy, and at Thy right hand 
there is pleasure for evermore (Fs. xvi. 6, 7, 8, 12). I 
love Thy commandments above gold and precious stones 
{Fs. cxix. 127). Behold, I come quickly; and My 
reward is with Me, to give to every man according as 
his work shall be {Fev. xxii. 12). Then shall the King 
say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of 
My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from 
the foundation of the world: for 1 was an hungered, and 
ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: 
I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: naked, and ye 
clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in 
prison, and ye came unto Me. Then shall the righteous 
answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hun- 
gered, and fed Thee ? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink ? 
when saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in ? or naked, 
and clothed Thee ? or when saw we Thee sick, or in 
. prison, and came unto Thee ? And the King shall 
answer and say unto them. Verily I say unto you, Inas- 
much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My 
brethren, ye have done it unto Me (S^. Matt, xxv. 34-40). 



Before Waking a OTilL 



71 



O DIVINE and loving Saviour, Who wast unwearied 
in suffering for us, and art long-suffering and 
infinitely patient in waiting for our repentance that Thou 
mayest forgive; we acknowledge and bewail our mani- 
fold sins, that often Thou hast knocked at the door of 
our heart and we have refused to open unto Thee, often 
hast Thou called unto us and we have closed our ears 
from hearing, and often when Thou hadst come within us 
have we cast Thee forth, choosing death instead of Thee 
our only Life. Forgive, we beseech Thee, all that is past. 
Put an end by Thy grace to every departure of our 
thoughts or desires from Thee. Leave us not to follow 
our own will, but mould our will to Thine Conform 
us to whatsoever Thou dost command, and command 
whatsoever Thou wilt. Let not our sins frustrate Thy 
loving purposes towards us; but do Thou, we pray 
Thee, of Thy pity build up what we have destroyed, 
repair the ruin which we have wrought upon ourselves; 
glorify Thyself in our salvation, and reign within us. 
And since in Thy wisdom Thou permittest us to find 
troubles and sufferings in this life, be unto us strength 
and consolation according to our need, and, when our 
journey is done, be our rest: for Thy mercy's sake. Who, 
with . , . 

ALMIGHTY God, Who puttest into our minds 
good desires and hast inclined Thy servant to set 
his house in order; grant that he may do it with wisdom 
and piety, according to the precepts of our holy religion 
and the dictates of right reason, that so being freed from 
all earthly cares and anxieties he may be the better able, 
before go hence, to set in order the inward he use of 
his soul; through . . . 

GRANT, Gracious Lord^ that this Thy servant mav 
part with that with which Thou hast blessed him 
here, willingly and without grudging. Bless them into 
whose hands commits it, that it may serve both to their 
temporal and eternal welfare. And grant to him that, 
when his earthly house of this tabernacle shall be dis- 



72 



matt making a mill 



solved, may rest in peace and may receive at last a 
better and an enduring substance in Thy everlasting 
Kingdom; through , . . 

OGOD, from Whom cometh every good and per- 
fect gift; grant Thy servant strength of mind and 
heart, in this time of h's trouble, wisely and happily to 
settle h's affairs. May h's memory be in no wise at fault, 
and may h's judgment be sound, that /le may do nothing 
amiss or through partiality. Grant that /le may be just 
to all men, thoughtful to kts family and relatives, grate- 
ful to h's friends, kind to h's servants, and a benefactor 
to religion. Add moreover this, we pray Thee, to all 
Thy mercies, that in making /lis last will /le may so faith- 
fully discharge all engagements and fulfil all responsibil- 
ities, that no evil may follow h'm or cling to any part of 
that estate which /le shall leave behind h'm; through . . . 

ALL-BOUNTEOUS God, Whose loving-kindness 
is everlasting and Whose justice is infinite; merci- 
fully grant Thy Holy Spirit unto this Thy servant, that 
Ae may be a taithful steward of that which Thou hast 
committed unto h's charge, so as not to wrong any to, 
whom ke is bound by kinship or duty; and that show- 
ing compassion unto Thy poor, and piety unto Thy 
Church, /le may by Thy mercy find treasure in Heaven; 
through ... 

OLORD Jesus Christ, Who didst heal all manner 
of sickness and disease amongst Thy people; give 
Thy blessing, we beseech Thee, to the means now used 
for the healing of Thy servant; that being raised from the 
bed of sickness ke may worship Thee again in the courts 
of Thy house; Who, with . . . 

Benediction, 

THE Lord make ready for Himself a place in thy 
heart by good works through faith, that justified 
by Him forever thou mayest enter into His joy. 



^rijankfulncss for .^icknrs:^. 



73 



d^anfefulnejsjs for ^icMm. 



IN everything give thanks: for this is the will of God 
in Christ Jesus concerning you (i Thess. v. i8). 
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial 
which is to try you, as though some strange thing hap- 
pened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are par- 
takers of Christ's sufferings: that, when His glory shall 
be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy (i 
St. Peter iv. 12, 13). My grace is sufficient for thee; for 
My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly 
therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the 
power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Cor. xii. 9). Be 
careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and 
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made 
known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth 
all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds 
through Christ Jesus {Phil. iv. 6, 7). Praised be the 
Lord daily, even the God Who helpeth us, and poureth 
His benefits upon us. He is our God, even the God of 
Whom cometh salvation: God is the Lord, by Whom we 
escape death. O God, wonderful art Thou in Thy holy 
places, even the God of Israel. He will give strength 
and power unto His people. Blessed be God {Ps. Ixviii. 
19, 20, 35). [Psalm ciii will be found suitable for this 
office]. 



OLORD Almighty, we are not worthy to lift up so 
much as our eyes unto heaven; much less to pre- 
sent ourselves before Thee with any confidence that Thou 
shouldest hear our prayers and grant our requests, for 
conscience accuses us and our sins testify against us. 
Yet sufi'er us not to be swallowed up of despair and death, 
but in the multitude of Thy mercies pardon us, O Lord, 
for Thy goodness' sake. Thou art our Creator, and we 
the work of Thy hands, though of our own fault we be 
come into weakness and misery; yea. Thou art our 
Father, and we Thy children; Thou our shepherd, and 



74 



^IjanMulncss for Sickness* 



we of Thy flock; Thou our Redeemer, and we of Thy 
people purchased even with Thy precious blood; be mer- 
ciful to us sinners, and visit us not according to our 
deservings but with Thy loving and compassionate sal- 
vation; through . . . 

OHOLY Trinity, One God, Who cleansest man's 
heart from sin, and makest it whiter than snow; 
pour down Thy mercy upon us; renew in us, we beseech 
Thee, Thy Holy Spirit, that we may show forth Thy 
praise, and strengthened by Thy grace may attain a 
place in the heavenly Jerusalem; through . . . 

OMOST loving Father, Who wiliest us to give 
thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss 
of Thee, and to cast all our care on Thee, Who carest 
for us; preserve us from faithless fears and earthly anx- 
ieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may 
hide from us the light of that Love which is immortal, 
and which Thou hast manifested unto us in Thy Son 
Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

OLORD Jesus Christ, the great Physician, Who 
gavest unto Thine Apostles power to heal all man- 
ner of sickness and all manner of disease; assist with the 
Spirit of wisdom the endeavors of him who is striving to 
work the cure of Thy servant, and grant that the means 
employed by his skill may be blessed by Thy power; 
Who livest . . . 

Benediction. 

THE power of the Father, the wisdom of the Son 
and the love of the HolyGhost, the grace of the 
blessed and undivided Trinity, be with thee and preserve 
thee, now, henceforth, and for evermore. 



JFor tije (Srace of ^^aticnce. 



75 



for ti^t (3vact of patience^ 



IN your patience possess ye your souls {Sf. Luke xxi. 
19). Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and 
scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. If ye endure 
chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons {Heb. xii. 
6, 7). Cast not away therefore your confidence, which 
hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of 
patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye 
might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and 
He that shall come will come, and will not tarry {Heb. 
X. 35, 36, 37). Let patience have her perfect work, that 
ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing {St James 
I. 4). Behold, we count them happy which endure. 
Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the 
end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of 
tender mercy {St. Jamesw. 11). Let us run with patience 
the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the 
Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that 
was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the 
shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne 
of God {Heb. xii. i, 2). Now the God of hope fill you 
with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound 
in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost {Rom. 
XV. 13). 



OLORD Jesus, Advocate most powerful, we put 
our cause into Thy hands. Let Thy blood and 
Thy merits plead for our pardon. Say unto us as Thou 
didst unto the penitent in the Gospel, Thy sins are for- 
given. Thou wilt grant this mercy, for the wtry will to 
ask it is from Thee. Make perfect the work which 
Thou hast begun in us. May we live to bring forth 
fruits meet for repentance: and may we know the effects 
of Thy grace in the constancy of our devotion and ser- 
vice, in the faithful discharge of our duty, and in deeds 
of righteousness and charity. O Thou Who sought us 



76 



when we were astray, save us for Thy mercy's sake, and 
preserve that which Thou hast sought and found; Who 
livest . . . 

LORD, be merciful unto us, for we have sinned in 
the midst of Hght, and even against Hght. 
Saviour All-pitiful, Refuge of sinners, our only trust is 
that our sins have not put us beyond the reach of Thy 
mercy which is infinite. Forgive, cleanse, and save: 
and fill us with a desire toward holiness, an obedience 
to Thy will, an acknowledgment of Thy goodness, and 
a zeal to honor Thee; Who livest . . . 

OOUR Saviour and our God, fix our souls on Thee, 
and let them not be anxious save that Thou 
shouldest make them what Thou lovest and dost will 
them to be. May Thy mercy overpower our sin, Thy 
strength uphold our weakness. Thy peace dispel our 
sadness, Thy fulness supply our need, Thy blood cleanse 
us wholly, that we may persevere in Thy grace, and be 
fitted to be presented unto Thee, holy through Thy 
holiness, clean through Thy cleansing, pure through 
Thy purity, loving through Thy love. Be Thou all in 
all to us to the end and in the end; be Thou, Good 
Jesus, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, all to us all 
throughout eternity; for Thy tender mercy and Thy 
pity's sake. Amen. 

OLORD God, Who art our hope and our portion 
in the land of the living; consider our necessi- 
ties; hide us under the shadow of Thy wings; keep us 
from all the dangers which multiply upon us when our 
spirits are in heaviness, and our bodies pressed with 
infirmities; be Thou always at our right hand and assist 
us with the strength of Thy grace, that our temptations 
and trials not being beyond our power derived from 
Thee, our souls may with confidence repose themselves 
upon Thee, while life shall last and in the hour of our 
departure hence, and may give eternal thanks unto Thy 
Name in the companies of the righteous; through . . . 



77 



TEACH us, merciful God, to submit ourselves both 
now and ever to Thy will and providence, and 
to cast all our care upon Thee, Who never leavest those 
that love Thee; and grant that we may so seek the king- 
dom of God and His righteousness, that all good things 
may be added unto us; through . . . 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, Who helpest 
them that are in trouble and necessity, and gra- 
ciously minglest mercy with Thy chastisements; we 
humbly beseech Thee that Thou wouldest raise this Thy 
servant from the sickness by which he is held, and pre- 
sent him sound to Thy Holy Church, to the praise and 
glory of Thy great Name; through ... 

Benediction, 

GOD be gracious unto thee, and give thee a heart 
to serve Him, doing and suffering all His will 
with a good courage and a willing mind; through . . . 



THUS saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will 
both search My sheep, and seek them out. As 
a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is 
among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out 
My sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where 
they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. 
And I will bring them out from the people, and gather 
them from the countries, and will bring them to their 
own land. I will feed them in a good pasture, and 
upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be. 
I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that 
which was driven away, and will bind up that which was 
broken, and will strengthen that which was sick {Ezek. 
xxxiv. 11-14, 16). Our soul hath patiently tarried for 
the Lord; for He is our Help and our Shield. For our 
heart shall rejoice in Him; because we have hoped in 
His holy Name. Let Thy merciful kindness, O Lord, 



78 



be upon us, like as we do put our trust in Thee {Ps. 
xxxiii. 19-21). Though our outward man perish, yet 
the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light 
affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a 
far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2 Cor. 
iv. 16, 17). Great are the troubles of the righteous; 
but the Lord delivereth him out of all {Ps, xxxiv. 19). 
The Lord sitteth above the water-flood, and the Lord 
remaineth a King for ever {Ps. xxix. 9). 



OMOST compassionate and mighty Saviour, Who 
didst enter into the Holy of Holies as our great 
High-Priest to present to Thy Father the acceptable 
sacrifice of His crucified Son, the sole Propitiation for 
sinners; hear us, we beseech Thee. O our Advocate, 
plead for us; O our Redeemer, ransom us from the guilt 
of our sins; O our Saviour, deliver us from their power. 
Raise our love from earthly things to rest on Thee: whom 
have we in heaven but Thee } and there is none upon 
earth we desire in comparison of Thee; therefore all love, 
all glory be to Thee, O Lord. 

OMOST loving Lord Jesus Christ; we beseech Thee 
to pardon us whatsoever by our ill-doing we have 
knowingly or unknowingly committed against Thy law 
and the glory of Thy Name, or have caused others to 
commit; and all that by neglect of good works we have 
left undone. Direct, we pray Thee, all our thoughts, 
words and deeds according to Thy holy will and to Thy 
praise, and conform our lives to Thy example and our 
souls to Thy likeness; Who livest ... 

GRANT unto us, O God, that we may never be des- 
titute of a well-grounded hope, nor yet possessed 
with a vain presumption. Sufier us not to think that 
Thou wilt either be reconciled to our sins or reject our 
repentance; but give us, we beseech Thee, such a hope 
as may both encourage and enable us to purify ourselves 
even as Thy Son our Lord is pure, that when He shall 
appear again with power and great glory we may be 
made like unto Him in His eternal and glorious King- 



79 



dom, where with Thee O Father and Thee O Holy 
Ghost He liveth and reigneth ever One God, world 
without end. 

OMOST loving Jesus, Who didst conquer death, 
and ascend in triumph into heaven, that Thou 
mightest prepare mansions in that blessed place for Thy 
redeemed and thence as Conqueror bestow the gifts of 
Thy conquest upon men; we pray Thee look with pity 
upon us Thy children, and grant that as we have been 
buried with Thee by baptism into death, so likewise we 
may be raised up with Thee to walk in newness of life; 
that being dead unto sin we may live unto God; and 
that having now our conversation in heaven, we may 
hereafter be welcomed by Thee into the enjoyment of 
our inheritance; for Thy sake and through Thy merits, 
O blessed Lord God, Who with the Father and the 
Holy Ghost livest and reignest for ever and ever. 

OGOD, Who never forsakest those who put their 
trust in Thee; grant that we may ever keep that 
hope which Thou hast given us by Thy word, as an 
anchor of our souls, sure and steadfast; to preserve us 
unshaken and secure in all the storms of this life; 
through . . . 

OGOD of wonderful goodness and power, Who by 
Thy words and works dost command us though 
unworthy servants to look for true and everlasting bless- 
ings in Thee and from Thee; grant unto us such fervent 
hope in Thee as may rouse us to diligent labor to make 
oar calling and election sure: through . . . 

OGOD, our Protection and Refuge, arm us with 
the shield of Thy glorious defence and give to 
us for a helmet the hope of salvation, that we being 
helped by Thee in all time of our necessity may enter 
into the joy of them that love Thee; through . . . 

OHOLY, blessed, and glorious Lord, blessed for- 
ever in Thy patience and glorious in Thy meek- 
ness; we beseech Thee to render continual help to us 
Thy inconstant disciples, that we may learn to serve 



80 



Thee in a patience and meekness like Thine own, in 
long-suffering and gentleness of heart, in kindness and 
charity towards others, in self-distrust and submissson 
towards Thee. Dispose us cheerfully and steadfastly to 
suffer all things for Thy sake, knowing that if we suffer 
patiently with Thee here, we shall reign with Thee in 
Thy glory forever. Grant this, O our Saviour, of Thy 
wonderful compassion, and for Thy love s sake. 

OLORD, infinite in mercy, and Whose goodness is 
everlasting; hear our prayer, and turn us away 
from all that can separate us from Thee, and make us 
to love that which tends to draw us unto Thee. So rule 
our hearts that we may seek and long for and possess 
Thee only. Be it our pain to lose Thee, and our only 
gain to love Thee more and more. Teach us to bear 
the burden of the flesh without sinning against Thee, 
to be willing to endure the suffering which Thou dost 
lay upon us in love, and to submit ourselves entirely to 
Thy will. Raise our desires and hopes, our whole 
powers and life, unto Thy holy and loving service. 
Bestow upon us what Thou seest us to need, and fit us 
to receive the good which Thou desirest to give, O 
Thou Who alone art our Life, our Light, and our Sal- 
vation; Who with ... 

OGOD Most merciful; look, we pray Thee, piti- 
fully upon this Thy servant, and grant unto /lis 
body relief and restored health, and to /lis mind that 
peace which passeth all understanding; through . . . 

Benediction. 

THE Lord Jesus Who rose from the dead by the 
glory of the Father make thee to walk with Him- 
self in newness of life, and bring thee unto the glory 
of His resurrection. 



£n Spiritual Brpression, 



81 



9In Spiritual ^zpnMon. 



WHO is among you that feareth the Lord, that 
obeyeth the voice of His servant, that walketh 
in darkness, and hath no Hght? let him trust in the 
name of the Lord, and stay upon his God (Isa. 1. lo). 
Why art thou so heavy, O my soul ? and why art thou 
so disquieted within me ? O put thy trust in God; for 
I will yet give Him thanks, Which is the help of my 
countenance, and my God {Ps. xliii. 5, 6). Consider, 
and hear me, O Lord my God; lighten mine eyes, that 
I sleep not in death {Fs. xiii. 3). Heal me, O Lord, 
and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: 
for Thou art my praise. Be not a terror unto me: Thou 
art my hope in the day of evil {/er. xvii. 14, 17). 
Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, 
and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and 
learn of Me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye 
shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, 
and My burden is light (Sf. Mait. xi. 28-30). All that 
the Father giveth Me shall come to Me: and him that 
Cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. And this is 
the will of Him That sent Me, that every one which 
seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have ever- 
lasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day {^SL 
John vi. 37, 40). Thus saith the High and Lofty One 
That inhabiteth eternity. Whose Name is Holy; I dwell 
in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a 
contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the 
humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. 
For T will not contend for ever, neither will I be always 
wroth: for the spirit should fail before Me, and the 
souls which I have made. I have seen his ways, and 
will heal him: I will lead him also and restore comforts 
unto him {ha. Ivii. 15, 16, 18). The ransomed of the 
Lord shall return, and com.e to Zion with songs, and 
everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy 



82 



and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away 
{Isa. XXXV. lo). For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, 
and ransomed him from the hand of" him that was stronger 
than he. Therefore they shall come and sing in thejieight 
of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the 
Lord; and their souls shall be as a watered garden: and 
they shall not sorrow any more at all, for I will turn 
their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and 
make them rejoice from their sorrow {/er. xxxi. 11-13). 
Thus saith the Lord That created thee, O Jacob, and 
He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for 1 have 
redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou 
art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I 
will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not 
overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou 
shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon 
thee. For I am the Lord, thy God, the Holy One of 
Israel, thy Saviour. I, even I, am He That blotteth 
out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not 
remember thy sins {Isa. xliii. 1-3. 25). For the 
mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but 
My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall 
the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord 
That hath mercy on thee {/sa. liv. 10). They' that put 
their trust in the Lord shall uc even as the Mount Zion, 
which may not be removed, but standeth fast forever. The 
hills stand about Jerusalem; even so standeth the Lord 
round about His people, from this time forth for ever- 
more {Ps. cxxv. I, 2). 



OLORD Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, Who for 
our sakes wast betrayed into the hands of wicked 
men, and didst suffer insult and scourging and cruci- 
fixion and mockery and death; we pray Thee look with 
mercy upon us, and fill our hearts with love for Thee 
Who hast so loved us; fulfil Thine own word, O Lord, 
and by Thy cross and passion draw us unto Thee, and 
bind us to Thee with the bonds of love; that we may 
bear all that may be laid upon us, patiently and meekly, 
after Thy example and for Thy sake; and grant that in 



hx spiritual IBe}jvess{0n. 



83 



all our trials and temptationshere we may be strengthened 
by the thought of all that Thou hast suffered and 
endured for us; Who, with . . . 

O ALMIGHTY God, Who endurest for ever, and 
Thy remembrance throughout all generations; 
have pity upon us according to the infinite treasures of 
Thy loving-kindness; hear the voice of our groaning, for 
Thy indignation lieth hard upon us, and our sins have 
put an edge upon Thy sword, and a thorn into our 
wounded consciences. Help us in our sorrow, send us 
comfort, increase our hope. Give unto us health and 
life, with grace so to spend all our time in works of 
repentance and trust and holiness, that when our years 
fail, and our change is come, we may depart hence in 
Thy favor and in peace of soul; through . . . 

LORD of all power and goodness; grant unto us a 
firm and unshaken trust in Thee. Pardon and 
blot out our sins. Give to us strength in temptation, 
patience in trial, and wise counsel in perplexity. Put 
into our minds holy thoughts, guard our words for us, 
work in us both to will and to do those things that are 
pleasing in Thy sight, make us to grow in grace and 
love, and to have perseverance unto the end ; through . . . 

COMFORT us, we beseech Thee, Gracious God, 
whensoever we are cast down and faint of heart 
amidst the sorrows and difficulties of the world, and 
grant that by the energy of Thy Holy Spirit we may be 
enabled to go on our way rejoicing, and may at length 
appear before Thee in the City where the vision of Thy 
peace is manifested; through the same. Thy Son, our 
Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

OGOD, Eternal and All-wise, Who seest the end 
from the beginning, and, for our safety dost 
cover us with a merciful veil that we shall understand 
but little of Thy wonderful and loving Providence; 
make us submissive to Thy will while we adore Thy 
greatness. Humble the pride of our hearts and keep 



84 



Spiritual Bqjression. 



us from all discontent with Thine appointments. And 
inasmuch as Thou bringest good out of evil, and light 
out of darkness, and dost nourish strength in the souls 
of those who patiently endure pain and trials at Thy 
righteous hand, dispose us to a meek and thankful use 
of all Thy dealings with us, even of those which are 
darkest to our mortal sight, and so to glorify Thy holy 
.Name; through . . . 

OLORD Almighty, if it be Thy will still to lay Thy 
heavy hand upon our brother and to press him 
sore, we beseech Thee enable him to look beyond 
these passing clouds to that blessed place whither our 
Saviour Christ is gone before, in which there is no dark- 
ness and no dread illusion; and, in humble thought 
of that peace and joy laid up in store for him, to 
resign himself to Thy present afflictive dispensations; 
through . . . 

O ALMIGHTY Father, we entreat Thee so to con- 
firm his trust in Thee that the remembrance of 
his sins may never incline him to despair of Thy loving- 
kindness; but may rather cause him to seek the Saviour s 
intercession in his behalf; and so quicken him to an 
unwearied attendance upon his duty as to enable him to 
have a sure confidence in the all-sufficient merits and 
mediation of the same Thy Son Jesus Christ, Whom 
with Thee and the Holy Ghost, we worship and glorify 
as one God, world without end. 

OGOD, the Giver of all wise thoughts, and the 
light of those who sit in darkness; incline this 
our afflicted brother to hearken unto wholesome counsels, 
and so dispose his heart that he may come to have a 
right understanding in all things and that the sad con- 
fusion of his thoughts may be reduced to order. O 
Lord, suffer him not to dishonor Thee and Thy holy 
religion; nor to call in question Thy great goodness and 
loving-kindness. Remove from him, we entreat Thee, 
all frightful apprehensions, and all perplexing doubts 
and scruples about his duty. Permit him not to indulge 



Cn spiritual Qcjirfssion, 



85 



his fears as though they were proofs of tenderness of 
spirit, and the fruits of Thy grace; but rather help him 
to strive against them : and make haste, O Lord, to show 
Thy mercy upon him, even for Thine own mercy's sake, 
in Jesus Christ, our Blessed Saviour and Redeemer. 

OLORD our God, the Father Ahnighty, we render 
unto Thee as our frailty best can our highest 
thanks with our whole mind and soul; praying Thy infi- 
nite goodness that Thou wouldest hear and accept our 
prayers, and drive out the enemy from our deeds and 
thoughts; enlarge our faith, direct our desires, grant us 
spiritual thoughts, and bring us safe to endless blessed- 
ness; through . . . 

OGOD, Who rulest Thy handiwork with tender 
compassion; hear oux supplications, and merci- 
fully look upon Thy servant laboring under great weak- 
ness of body. Visit him with Thy saving power, and 
grant hi??i the medicine of TKy heavenly grace; that, 
being restored to his former health, he may praise Thee 
in the courts of Thy house, and say ''the Lord hath 
chastened and corrected me, but He hath not given me 
over unto death;"' and this we beg for Jqsus Christ's sake, 
our Lord. 

UPON Thee, O Jesus Thou peace of the troubled heart, 
we cast ourselves. In all pains, discouragements, 
difficulties, dangers, weaknesses, and despondencies of 
this mortal life, may we depend upon Thy mercy, and 
on this build our hopes as on a sure foundation. Shine 
into our hearts with Thy light and love. Melt away all 
cold distrust. Save us from ourselves. Take away all 
sin. ]Make us like to Thyself, for Thy love and kindness' 
sake; Who, with ... 

OGOD, who didst permit Thy Blessed Son in His 
agony in Gethsemane to be sorrowful and very 
heavy, and didst send to His relief an angel from heaven; 
mercifully look upon Thy servant; send hi?n comfort 



86 



Hn EProcess of ^^ecoberg. 



from on high, reheve his distress of mind and body, and 
grant that Thy peace which passeth all understanding 
may keep him firmly resting on Thee, now and ever- 
more; through . . . 

(Also, prayer in ''Visitation of the Sick," p. 23). 
Benediction. 

THE Lord increase upon thee the abundance of 
His blessing, and strengthen thee with the hope 
of His heavenly Kingdom. 



9In ^xmm of Eecoterp, 



O PRAISE our God, ye people, and make the voice 
of His praise to be heard; Who holdeth our 
soul in life; and suffereth not our feet to slip. For 
Thou, O God, hast proved us; Thou also hast tried us, 
like as silver is tried. I will go into Thine house with 
burnt offerings; and will pay Thee .my vows, which I 
promised with my lips, and spake with my mouth, when 
I was in trouble {Ps. Ixvi. 7, 8, 9, 12). We were 
pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that 
we despaired even of life: but we had the sentence of 
death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, 
but in God Which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us 
from so great a death, and doth deliver: in Whom we 
trust that He will yet deliver us (2 Cor, i. 8, 9, 10). My 
strength will I ascribe unto Thee; for Thou art the God 
of my refuge (Ps. lix. 9). O Lord, my God, I cried 
unto Thee, and Thou hast healed me {Ps. xxx. 2). 
Before I was troubled, I went wrong: but now have I 
kept Thy word. It is good for me that I have been in 
trouble; that I may learn Thy statutes {Ps. cxix. 67, 
71). The Lord hath chastened and corrected me; but 
He hath not given me over unto death {Ps. cxviii. 18). 
As for me, I will patiently abide alway, and will praise 
Thee more and more {Ps. Ixxi. 12). My trust is in the 



3in iirocess of Eecoijerg, 



87 



tender mercy of God for ever and ever. I will always 
give thanks unto Thee for that Thou hast done; and I 
will hope in Thy Name, for Thy saints like it well {Ps, 
lii. 9, lo). As long as I live will I magnify Thee in 
this manner, and lift up my hands in Thy Name 
{Ps, Ixiii. 5). 

O CHRIST, Son of God, Whom Thy Father 
delivered up for us all when He accepted Thee 
as a Sacrifice for the sins of the whole world; have 
regard to the desires of Thy people; save those whom 
Thou hast redeemed; and grant that through Thee, 
Whom we believe to have been crucified for all, we may 
have remission of sins in this life, and everlasting joy in 
the life to come; W^ho iivest . . . 

LAMB of God, Who takest away the sin of the 
world, look upon us and have mercy, Thou 
Who art Thyself both Victim and Priest, Thyself both 
Reward and Redeemer; and keep safe from all evils 
those whom Thou hast redeemed, O Saviour of the 
world; Who livest . . . 

O ALMIGHTY God, we give Thee humble thanks 
for that Thou hast vouchsafed to deliver Thy ser- 
vant from the pains and perils of y^z^^ sickness. What 
Thou hast further for any of us to do or to suffer, Thou 
alone knowest; grant us patience and courage and all 
Christian resolution to serve Thee to the glory of Thy 
blessed Name. May we live , to love, honor, and obey 
Thee in all things, and so faithfully to accomplish Thy 
holy will in this world that we may be partakers of ever- 
lasting life in the world to come; through . . . 

WE thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and 
earth, that Thou hast heard our prayers for 
Thine afflicted servant, and given him some respite and 
hope of recovery. Blessed be Thy goodness that he hath 
not made his bed in the dust but hath expectation still 
to continue amongst us. O Thou preserver of men 
Who hast begun to revive and quicken him again, make 
perfect we pray Thee his cure, and forsake not the work 



88 



Cn ^Irocess of Eeco^erg* 



of Thine own hands. Fill hiin with comfortable thoughts 
of Thy love, and of the tender compassionate care which 
our Lord Jesus takes of all His afflicted servants. En- 
due him still with patient submission to Thy will, and 
enable hiin both quietly to wait upon Thee till Thou 
hast finished his recovery, and also to continue stead- 
fastly resolved to serve Thee more faithfully with his 
restored strength; through . . . 

(Prayer in the "Visitation of the Sick," p. 25.) 

In Co7ivalescence. 

OLORD, Who hast shown compassion upon Thy 
servant, and lifted him up from the gates of 
death; mercifully grant unto him Thy grace, that he may 
offer unto Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay 
Thee the vows which he promised with his lips and 
spake wqth his mouth when he was in trouble; through 
the merits of . . . 

OLORD Jesus Christ, the Life and Strength of all 
who put their trust in Thee; mercifully grant 
that as Thou hast been pleased to restore Thy servant 
to his bodily health, so Thou mayest endue his soul 
with all heavenly graces, and perseverance in good 
works; of Thy tender mercy. Who livest . . . 

OLORD God, who hast in Thy great love prolonged 
the days of Thy servant in this world; grant 
him grace to employ the life which Thou hast now 
lengthened, in Thy service. Help him to perform all 
his resolutions of more steadfast obedience, and so to 
live that at last he may depart out of this w^orld in 
peace; for the sake of . . . 

INCREx\SE in us, O Lord, the fruit of good works, 
that he who is being restored to health by Thy 
power, may by Thy grace he enabled to attain that place 
of blessedness, where Thou, wath the Father and the 
Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, One God, world with- 
out end. 



53cfore a ^urstral (J^peration, etc. 89 



OMOST mighty and merciful God; fulfil, we 
beseech Thee, the work of healing which Thou 
hast so graciously begun, and grant that Thy servant 
may be restored whole to Thy Church to show forth Thy 
praise, and taking Thy easy yoke and light burden upon 
him may henceforth serve Thee in reverence and godly 
^iar all the days of his life; through . . . 

Benediction, 

THE God of all grace, Who hath called thee unto 
His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, enlighten thy 
soul with the sevenfold gifts of His Holy Spirit, unto 
His honor and glory. 



Before a ^urgical €>perat(on or m a 

(Crisis in Stcftness or in ^ccilrent or 
<Sul3Den anU ©aitrrerous Illness^ 



LET them that suffer accordmg to the will of God 
commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well 
doing, as unto a faithful Creator (i Si. Peter \w. 19). 
Turn Thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I 
am desolate, and in misery. The sorrows of my heart 
are enlarged; O bring Thou me out of my troubles. 
Look upon my adversity and misery, and forgive me all 
my sin {Ps. xxv. 15-17). Have mercy upon me, O 
Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones 
are vexed. Turn Thee, O Lord, and deliver my soul; 
O save me, for Thy mercy's sake {Ps. vi. 2, 4). Show 
Thy marvellous loving-kindness, Thou that art the 
Saviour of them which put their trust in Thee. Keep 
me as the apple of an eye: hide me under the shadow 
of Thy wings {Ps, xvii. 7, 8). Trust ye in the Lord 



90 i3efore a Sursical (^^jeration, etc. 



forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength 
{Isa. xxvi. 4). The eternal God is thy Refuge, and 
underneath are the everlasting Arm's {Deut. xxxiii. 27). 



OLORD Jesus Christ, Who for our sakes wast made 
man, that Thou mightest Thyself take our infirm- 
ities and bear our sicknesses, and Who on earth didst 
feel for Thy suffering people and go about doing good 
and healing all kinds of sickness and disease amongst 
them; we pray Thee increase our faith in Thy goodness 
and love towards us for whom Thy precious Blood was 
shed; that we may believe in Thy sympathy with us in 
all our difficulties and trials here, and take them all to 
Thee, in humble trust that Thou wilt remove them if it 
seemeth good to Thee, or else strengthen us to bear 
them: for Thy tender mercies' sake; Who livest . . . 

OTHOU betrayed and forsaken, scourged and cru- 
cified Christ ! O suffering and rejected Saviour ! 
forgive our negligence of Thy love and our indifference 
towards Thee. Surely by Thy cross and passion, by Thy 
precious death and burial Thou hast redeemed our souls 
from death and woe. Thy blood, O Lamb of God, 
cleanses from all sin. Let not Thy toil and anguish be 
for us in vain, but pity, spare, and save Thy servants for 
whom Thou gavest Thyself to die. Hear us for Thy 
mercies' sake; Thou Who now livest ... 

WE beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, by those 
wounds and bruises which Thou didst bear for 
us in Thy sacred body, to look graciously upon the suf- 
fering body of this Thy servant; bless the means em- 
ployed for working out his cure, and grant that he m ly 
so "patiently endure ^2'^ sufferings in the flesh, that the 
wounding of his body may be for the salvation of his 
soul; through Thy mercy Who livest . . . 

O JESUS, our Redeemer and Saviour, Who didst 
yield Thyself to the tormentors to suffer and be 
crucified, strengthen our brother to bear all that shall be 
laid upon him, and in whatever pains may he have power 



iSefnre a .Surgical ^^erati^n, etc* 



91 



to say with Thee, "not My will but Thine be done." 
Bless the skill of man to his relief, if so it seemeth good 
to Thee; but if not, if it should be in vain, may he still 
have grace to bless and praise Thee, and to submit him- 
self to Thy good pleasure. Help him to go to this 
trial in Thy strength, commending himself unto Thee; 
for Thy mercies sake, Who art touched with the feeling 
of our infirmities, and Who livest ; . . 

O MERCIFUL God, give this Thy servant patience 
towards all those who minister to his needs, and 
attend about him, that he may never weaken their hands 
nor distress their hearts by fretfulness at their counsel or 
causeless anger at their kind endeavors, but may with 
meekness and thankfulness receive their good offices; 
through . . . 

OGOD, in Whose all-wise hands are life and death, 
• and health and sickness; and by Whose blessing 
alone can any skill of man prevail; we beseech Thee 
have mercy upon Thy servant, and prosper the means 
that shall be taken for his recovery. Strengthen hi?n, O 
Lord, to bear such trial as is appointed hiiJi, and enable 
him humbly and trustfully to commit himself into Thy 
hands to do with him as shall seem to Thee best. O 
Lord, support him in his need; make Thou all his bed 
in his sickness; and may this and all things work to 
gether for his eternal good; through . , • 

O GRACIOUS God, by Whose word man lives, and 
not by any human means alone; direct, we pray 
Thee, the hand of him who is about to operate on the 
body of this Thy servant, and prosper his skill to a mer^ 
ciful and blessed issue. Let not, O Lord, Thy servant's 
confidence in man's aid, in any wise lessen his depen- 
dence on Thee. Send him ease and comfort in this 
time of his great distress: strengthen him with the con- 
solations of Thy Holy Spirit, and lay not more upon 
him than Thou wilt enable him to bear. Let not the 
extremity of his pains transport him into any rash or un- 



92 ^fter a ^ur^ical (i^ijeration, etc. 



becoming expressions, or cause him to have hard thoughts 
of Thy providence, but, whatever be his sufferings, may 
he still love Thee, and trust Thee as a kind and merci- 
ful Father; through ... 

(Prayer in the ''Visitation of the sick," p. 24). 

Benediction. 

THE grace of Almighty God protect thee, that, 
bruised in flesh, but quickened in spirit, thou 
mayest be blessed by Him with His heavenly Gift, unto 
eternal life. 

%iXn a Surgical SDpemtion, 

©X after Eeltef from lExtreme ©anger tug 

PRAISED be God, Who hath not cast out my 
prayer, nor turned His mercy from me {Ps. Ixvi. 
18). Heaviness may endure for a night, but joy cometh 
in the morning. Thou hast turned my heaviness into 
joy; Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me 
with gladness: therefore shall every good man sing of 
Thy praise without ceasing. O my God, I will give 
thanks unto Thee forever {Ps. xxx. 5, 12, 13). Thou, 

Lord, art my defender; Thou art my worship, and 
the lifter up of my head. I did call upon the Lord 
with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill. 

1 laid me down and slept, and rose up again; for the 
Lord sustained me. Salvation belongeth unto the 
Lord; and Thy blessing is upon Thy people {Ps. iii. 3, 
4, 5, 8). I will be glad, and rejoice in Thy mercy; 
for Thou hast considered my trouble, and hast known 
my soul in adversities {Ps. xxxi. 8). I will sing unto 
the Lord as long as I live; I will praise my God while 
I have my being. And so shall my words please Him: 
my joy shall be in the Lord (Ps. civ. 33, 34). O what 



"lifter a ^urigical Operation, etc, 93 



great troubles and adversities hast thou showed me ! and 
yet didst Thou turn and refresh me; yea, and broughtest 
me from the deep of the earth again {Ps. Ixxi. i8). O 
send out Thy Hght and Thy truth, that they may lead 
me, and bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy 
dwelling. And that I may go unto the altar of God, 
even unto the God of my joy and gladness {Ps. xliii. 3, 
4). The grave cannot praise Thee, death cannot cele- 
brate Thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope 
for Thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise 
Thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall 
make known Thy truth {Isa. xxxviii. 18, 19). The 
Lord is my strength and song, and He is become my 
salvation {Exodus xv. 2). Blessed be the Lord God of 
Israel, from everlasting, and world without end; and 
let all the people say. Amen {Ps. cvi. 46). 



O -LORD God of eternal mercies, Gracious and 
Righteous; give unto us hearts filled with love 
and praise to Thy holy Name, /or that Thou hast heard 
our prayers, and hast delivered us from heaviness and 
anxious fears. O let out souls rest in Thee, and be sat- 
isfied in the pleasures of Thy mercy, that we may re- 
ceive the cup of blessing and salvation and celebrate the 
Eucharist in honor of Thy Name and in remembrance 
of Thy infinite benefits towards us; through . . . 

OGOD, Whose mercies are without number, and 
the treasure of Whose goodness is infinite; 
we give Thee hearty thanks for the blessings which Thou 
hast bestowed upon Thy servant; and we humbly be- 
seech Thee, that as Thou hast granted that for which 
we prayed, so Thou wouldst continue Thy goodness 
cowards us, and prepare us by Thy blessings in this life 
for the enjoyment of eternal happiness in the life to 
come; through . . . 

O MERCIFUL God, Who liftest us up when we 
are cast down, and healest us when we are 
wounded; graciously hear our praise and thanksgiving 



94 



on behalf of Thy servant to whom Thou hast granted 
ease and rehef; and vouchsafe that the chastisement of 
his body may avail towards the /purifying of his soul; 
through . . . 

OLORD Jesus Christ, our only Hope; adored and 
glorified be Thy Name forever and ever. Blessed 
Saviour, abide with us: leave us not. Abide with us 
in all we think and say and do, in all we rejoice in, or 
hope for, or fear, or suffer. Be Thou our refreshment 
in weariness: our comfort in trouble; our refuge in 
temptation: in death our life; in the judgrtient our mer- 
ciful Saviour and Lord. Abide with us, and make us to 
abide in Thee in all our pilgrimage here, that in Para- 
dise we may rest in Thee, and may for evermore worship 
Thee before Thy throne in heaven; where, with the 
Father and the Holy Ghost, Thou livest and reignest, 
One God, world without end. 

Benediction, 

THE merciful Lord, in Whose hand is all prosper- 
ity, grant thee ever the increase of blessing and 

peace. 



31n (Bteat |aain» 



I WILL look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God 
of my salvation: my God will hear me {Micah vii. 
7). Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my crying come 
unto Thee. Hide not Thy face from me in the time 
of my trouble; incline Thine ear unto me when I call; 
O hear me, and that right soon. For my days are con- 
sumed away like smoke, and my bones are burnt up as 
it were a fire-brand. My heart is smitten down, and 
withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. 
For the voice of my groaning, my bones will scarce 
cleave to my flesh. My days are gone like a shadow, 
and I am withered like grass {Ps. cii. 1-5, ii). I 
stretch forth my hands unto Thee; my soul gaspeth 



95 



unto Thee as a thirsty land. Hear me, O Lord, and 
that soon; for my spirit waxeth faint: hide not Thy face 
from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the 
pit {Ps. cxliii. 6, 7). I am weary of my groaning: every 
night wash I my bed, and water my couch with my tears. 
The Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord 
will receive my prayer {Fs. vi. 6, 8, 9). Out of the deep 
have I called unto Thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice. 
O let thine ears consider well the voice of my complaint. 
For there is mercy with Thee. I look for the Lord; 
my soul doth wait for Him; in His word is my trust. 
O Israel, trust in the Lord; for with the Lord there is 
mercy {Fs. cxxx. i, 2, 4, 5, 7). Haste Thee, O God, to 
deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord. Let all 
those that seek Thee be joyful and glad in Thee, and 
let all such as delight in Thy salvation say alway, The 
Lord be praised. As for me, I am poor and in misery; 
haste Thee unto me, O God. Thou art my Helper 
and my Redeemer: O Lord, make no long tarrying 
{Fs. Ixx. I, 4, 5, 6). I am come into deep waters, so 
that the floods run over me. - I am weary of crying; 
my throat is dry; my sight faileth me for waiting so 
long upon my God. Hear me, O Lord, for Thy lov- 
ing kindness is comfortable; turn Thee unto me ac- 
cording to the multitude of Thy mercies: and hide not 
Thy face from Thy servant; for I am in trouble: O 
haste Thee, and hear me. Draw nigh unto my soul, 
and save it; O deliver me {Fs. Ixix. 2, 3, 17-19). 
Remember me, O Lord, according to the favor that 
Thou bearest unto Thy people; O visit me with Thy 
salvation; that I may see the felicity of Thy chosen, and 
rejoice in the gladness of Thy people, and give thanks 
with Thine inheritance (7^5. cvi. 4, 5.) The sufferings 
of this present time are not worthy to be compared with 
the glory which shall be revealed in us {Rom. viii. 18). 
Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, work- 
eth for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of 
glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, 
but at the things which are not seen: for the things 
which are seen are temporal; but the things which are 



96 



in ORreat Patn. 



not seen are eternal. For we know that if our earthly 
house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a build- 
ing of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in 
the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring 
to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven. 
For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being bur- 
dened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed 
upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life 
(2 Cor. iv. 17, 18. V. I, 2, 4). 



OLord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God; vouch- 
safe to give us faith, hope, and charity, humility 
and purity of body and soul, patience, true obedience, 
and amendment of life. Grant us, O merciful and 
gracious Lord, full pardon and remission for all our sins 
and offences committed by day or night, that through 
Thy grace we may attain the glory of Thy Kingdon, O 
Saviour of the world; where, with the Father . . . 

OLORD, we pray Thee that the thought of the 
blessed country towards which we are travelling 
may make us forgetful of the weariness of the journey; 
and if Thou addest a weight of trials, give us also strength 
that we may not faint under the burden. Thou O Lord 
hast gone before us bearing Thy Cross, make us to bear 
ours after Thee, ever looking unto Thee, and putting 
our trust in Thee alone; for Thy mercy's sake. Who, 
with . . . 

ALMIGHTY Father, Who didst give Thine Only 
Son to suffer and die for us; grant us grace to 
follow in His steps with patience, that being made like 
Him in suffering, we may with Him enter into glory; 
for the merits of the same. Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus 
Christ. 

OMOST merciful Saviour, Who didst suffer bitter 
pains for us; have compassion on Thy servant in 
his great sufferings, and help hi??i to fix his thoughts 
upon Thy Cross and Passion; that he may gain strength 
frorh Thy endurance, and patience from Thy meekness; 



97 



that, having suffered with Thee here, Ae may enter 
hereafter into Thy glory: grant this, O Lord, for Thy 
tender mercies' sake. 

OLORD Jesus Christ, Who didst wilUngly yield 
Thyself up to shame and torture and death for us 
miserable sinners; grant unto Thy serv-ant so readily to 
drink this bitter cup of sorrow which Thou puttest to 
/lis lips, that he may at length attain unto the full sweet- 
ness of Thy heavenly blessings: Who livest . . . 

O BLESSED God, infinite in pity and love; with- 
hold not, we pray Thee, Thy help from Thy 
servant in the extremity of his pain. His sorrows are 
increased, and /lis soul is full of trouble: /le has none to 
flee unto for the ease and mitigation of /lis agonies, but 
to Thee, O Lord. He freely owns that /lis sufferings 
are infinitely less than /le has deserved; yet since they 
pierce deep, and are almost too heavy to bear, we en- 
treat Thee, to spare /lim, and relieve /lim. In mercy 
hold /lim up that /le may , endure submissively, and 
speedily bring /lim rest in body and in soul; through . . . 

LORD Jesus Christ, our sympathizing Saviour, Who 
for man didst bear the Agony and the Cross; 
draw near to Thy suffering servants, in their pain of 
body or trouble of mind; hallow all their crosses in this 
life, and crown them hereafter where all tears are wiped 
away; where, with the Father, . . . 

O GRACIOUS Father, Whose dear Son bore for 
us unspeakable agonies, being scourged, and 
crowned with thorns, and nailed to the Cross; have 
mercy on Thy servant who is now in great suffering, and 
grant /lim grace to fix /lis eyes upon the Cross, and 
therein to find strength, truly following Him, "Who for 
the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross;" that 
knowing the fellowship of the sufferings of Thy dearly- 
beloved Son, our Lord, /le may rest in Him, and at 
length enter into His joy; for His merits, Who, with 
Thee ... 



98 



^nliitelg to Eccoijer* 



O MERCIFUL God, we beseech Thee look in pity 
upon Thy servant; s'trengthen him to bear what- 
ever Thou may est see fit to lay upon hmi; comfort him 
with Thy Holy Spirit; lift >^2!9 thoughts and desires 
heavenwards; relieve his pains we beseech Thee, and 
grant him a speedy issue out of his suffering condition; 
for the sake of . . . 

OGod, Who art merciful, and Who dost not will- 
ingly afflict the children of men, but chastenest 
us for our profit that we may be partakers of Thy holi- 
ness; support Thy servant, we pray Thee, in this time 
of his great distress, and sanctify to him the pain he 
bears, that his present affliction may work out for hiin 
a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Make 
him fully to believe that Thou doest nothing but what 
is best. Visit him in mercy and love, and show him 
the joy of Thy salvation; through . . . 

OLORD Jesus Christ, Who for the salvation of the 
world wast willing to bear patiently sorrows and 
agony and death; grant, we beseech Thee, that we, 
mindful of all that Thou hast borne for us, may bear 
our light afflictions for Thy sake; so that, sharing in 
Thy pain and sorrow. Thou mayest make us partakers 
of Thy rest and glory; Who, with ... 

Benediction, 

^r^HE Son of God, Who hath suffered thee to be 
X cast into the furnace of affliction. Himself walk 
with thee in the fire, and deliver thee out of trouble. 



enUfeelr to Eecotier^ 



LET not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, 
believe also in Me. In My Father s house are 
many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told 
you. I go to prepare a pla:e for you. And if I 
go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, 
and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there 



99 



ye may be also {S/. John xiv. 1-3). God shall wipe 
away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be 
no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither 
shall there be any more pain: for the former things are 
passed away {Rev. xxi. 4.)- One of the elders answered, 
saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in 
white robes ? and whence came they ? And I said unto 
him. Sir, thou knowest. And he said unto me, These 
are they which came out of great tribulation, and have 
washed their robes, and made them white in the blood 
of the Lamb {Ro). vii. 13, 14). Into Thy hands I 
commend my spirit; for Thou hast redeemed me, O 
Lord, Thou God of truth. My time is in Thy hand. 
Show Thy servant the light of Thy countenance, and 
save me for Thy mercy's sake. O how plentiful is Thy 
goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear 
Thee, and that Thou hast prepared for them that put 
their trust in Thee {Ps, xxxi. 6, 17, 18, 21). This 
God is our God for ever and ever: He shall be our 
guide unto death {Ps. xlviii. 13). Hast thou not 
known I hast thou not heard that the everlasting God, 
the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth 
not, neither is weary.? there is no searching of His 
understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to 
them that have no might He increaseth strength. Even 
the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young 
men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the Lord 
shall renew their strength; they- shall mount up with 
wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and 
they shall walk, and not faint {Isa. xl. 28-31). 



O ALMIGHTY God, g-racious and merciful, 
Whose compassions fail not, and Who hast 
promised, ''as thy day so shall thy strength be," look 
down, we beseech Thee, upon the low and distressed 
state of Thy servant now lying in the extremity of sick- 
ness. Be merciful unto him according to the necessity 
of his case, and according to the multitude of Thy ten- 
der mercies in Jesus Christ. With Thee nothing is im- 



100 



^nliltelg to l^crober. 



possible. In submission to Thy most wise and good 
disposal of all things, we beg this mercy at Thy hands, 
that Thou wilt restore him to health. Hear our prayer, 
we entreat Thee, Thou Who liftest us up from the 
gates of death, that we may show forth Thy praises in 
the courts of Thy holy temple; through . . . 

OLORD, our God, and our blessed Saviour, Who 
by Thy bitter death and passion hast sweetened 
the cup of death for us, taking away its bitterness and 
sting, and making it the entrance into life and glory, 
we beg of Thee health for this Thy servant, if it be Thy 
will that the days of his pilgrimage shall be prolonged, 
and grace that we may be able to say, Thy will be 
done. " Walking in the valley of the shadow of death 
may he fear no evil. Help hiin to be in peace and to 
have rest, and make him to dwell in everlasting safety, 
and to partake of the joys of Thy heavenly kingdom; 
Who livest . . . 

OLORD, Who art the rest of the weary and heavy 
laden; mercifully grant Thy loving help and re- 
freshment to Thy suffering servant, that renewed by Thy 
power he may rejoice in Thy salvation; Who livest . . . 

ASSIST us mercifully, O Lord, in these our sup- 
plications, and accept the prayers which we 
make in behalf of Thy servant, who asketh of Thee 
health and salvation of soul. Grant him, we beseech 
Thee, pardon of all his sins, and bestow upon fiim all 
needful graces, that he may safely attain unto Thy king- 
dom and glor%; through . . . 

(Prayer in the ''Visitation of the sick," p. 22.) 

\ Benediction. 

CHRIST the Lord fulfil thy desires and prayers, and 
grant abundant salvation to thy soul. 



101 



IT is the Lord; let Him do what seemeth Him good 
(i Samuel III. 18). O My Father, if it be possible, 
let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, 
but as Thou wilt. O My Father, if this cup may not 
pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done 
(*SV. Matt. xxvi. 39, 42). Thy hands have made me 
and fashioned me, O give me understanding, that I may 
learn Thy commandments. I know, O Lord, that Thy 
judgments are right, and that Thou of very faithfulness 
hast caused me to be troubled. O let Thy merciful 
kindness be my comfort, according to Thy word unto 
Thy servant. Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore 
doth my soul keep them. Order my steps in Thy word, 
and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me. 
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and 
Thy law is the truth. Trouble and heaviness have 
taken hold upon me; yet is my delight in Thy command- 
ments. The righteousness of Thy testimonies is ever- 
lasting: O grant me understanding, and I shall live {Ps. 
cxix. 73, 75, 76, 129, 133, 142-144). Show me Thy 
ways, O Lord, and teach me Thy paths. Lead me 
forth in Thy truth, and learn me: for Thou art the God 
of my salvation; in Thee hath been my hope all the 
day long {Ps. xxv. 3, 4). Beloved, think it not strange, 
concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though 
some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, 
inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, 
when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also 
with exceeding joy (i St. Peter iv. 12, 13). As thy 
days, so shall thy strength be {Deut. xxxiii. 25). 

OLORD our God, Who chastenest those whom 
Thou dost love, and scourgest every one whom 
Thou receivest to the inheritance of sons; write our 
souls, we pray Thee, in Thy book of life, and number 
us amongst Thy children: yet lay not upon us more 



102 



Submission. 



than Thou wilt enable us to bear; visit us with Thy 
Fatherly tenderness. Grant, to us patience, humility, 
and true repentance, with meek resignation to Thv good 
pleasure and wise providence. This Thy servant, O Lord, 
we beseech Thee to restore in due time to health, and 
and to Thy solemn assemblies again, and to the joy of 
Thy countenance. Above all, grant to us strength and 
a right obedience to do Thy will in all things; and in 
health or sickness, in life or death, make us to rest 
trustfully in Thee; through . . . 

O BLESSED Jesus, Who didst bear Thy cross for 
us; give Thy feeble children strength to take up 
their cross and follow Thee. If it be heavy, make us 
to bear it meekly that so we may be more like unto 
Thee. Because we are weak, let Thy strength be made 
perfect in our weakness. Oh may we so suffer with 
Thee here below, that we may sleep in Thee when we 
die, and at the last day rise again in great joy and glorj, 
to reign with Thee through endless ages; Who 
livest . . . 

ALMIGHTY, Everlasting God, Comfort of the sor- 
rowful, Strength of the weary, our only Help in 
time of need; draw Thou near to all Thy suffering ser- 
vants in their sickness of body or trouble of mind. Be 
Thou their comfort, their strength, their help. Give 
them the grace of true contrition, patience, resignation, 
and the enlightenment of Thy Holy Spirit. Grant 
them merciful relief, and restore them to health if it be 
according to Thy infinite wisdom; and bestow such 
grace that their affliction may work their spiritual 
advancement and eternal blessedness; through . . . 

OLORD Jesus Christ, Who art ascended into 
heaven, there to intercede for us Thy servants, 
to bring the kingdoms of the earth beneath the sceptre 
of Thy righteousness, and to draw up Thine elect in 
blessed union with Thee their Head, Who art gone be- 
fore; grant us firm faith in Thine Almighty power, 



103 



Christ our God. Strengthen our hope in Thee, Who 
art forever offering Thyself in Thy risen and glorified 
Body in the most Holy Place, O Ch^-ist our Advocate. 
Quicken our love for Thee, O Jesus, King most won- 
derful, Who didst lead captivity captive, and give gifts 
unto men, especially the most unspeakable gift of Thy 
Holy Spirit, uniting us to Thee in bonds of heavenly 
love. Hear us, O thou Who hast triumphed gloriously, 
Bridegroom of Thy holy Church, and only Mediator be- 
tween God and men; and grant that we may so follow 
Thee now in patient toil and suffering, that when 
Thou comest again to judge the world, we may be 
counted worthy to sit with Thee in heavenly places; 
through Thy merits, O Lord, and only Saviour, Who, 
with . . . 

ALMIGHTY Father, Who didst give Thine Only- 
Begotten Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, to suffer 
and die for us; grant us grace to follow in His steps 
with patience, that being made like Him in suffering, 
we may enter Into His glory and joy: for the merits of 
the same, Thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. 

OLORD Jesus Christ, Who didst cheerfully resign 
Thyself unto Thy Fathers will, saying, *'not 
My will but Thine be done;" look with mercy upon 
Thy servant, and help him to bear submissively what- 
soever may be laid upon him\ strengthen him accord- 
ing to his need; increase his faith, enlarge his hope; 
that in all his troubles he may ever look up to Thee, 
and trust himself va patient resignation to Thy love and 
mercy, to do with him as Thow knowest to be best; 
Who, with . . . 

OGod, our Refuge in pains, our Strength in weak- 
ness, our Help in tribulations, our Solace in tears, 
spare Thy people: give comfort to the sad, aid to the 
troubled, endurance to the weary, support to those who 
suffer; that all may rejoice to find Thy mercy present 
with them in their afflictions; through ... 



104 



En tije l^our of ©eatfj^ 



O ALMIGHTY God 'and Heavenly Father; we be- 
seech Thy gracious goodness that as Thine Only- 
Begotten Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, knowingly and 
willingly went forth to meet His bitter passion and death, 
so when Thou layest the cross of grievous pain and 
sorrow upon us we may in like manner bear it patiently 
and with willing mmds, as the trial of our faith against 
the latter day and to Thine everlasting glory. Hear us, 
O merciful Father, for our Lord Jesus Ciirist's sake. 

Benediction. 

CHRIST the Lord, Whose wounds and passion thou 
dost acknowledge with thankful devotion, deliver 
thee from thy sufferings. 



91n ti^e f out: of JDeati^. 



HE asked life of Thee; and ihou gavest him a long 
life, even for ever and ever. Thou shalt give 
him everlasting felicity, and make him glad with the 
joy of Thy countenance {Fs. xxi. 4, 6). Lord, now 
lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to 
Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, 
which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 
a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy 
people Israel (^St. Luke ii. 29-32). The Lord is my 
Shepherd; therefore can I lack nothing. Yea, though 
I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I 
will fear no evil; for Thou art with me {Ps. xxiii. i, 4). 
I am alway by Thee; for Thou hast holden me by my 
right hand. Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, 
and after that receive me with glory. vVhom have I in 
heaven but Thee and there is none upon earth that I 
desire in comparison of Thee. My flesh and my heart 
faileth; but God is the strength of my heart, and my 
portion forever {Ps. Ixxiii. 22—25). I am now ready to 
be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I 
have fought a good f^.ght, I have finished my course, I 
have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me 



tfje |§our of iBeatij, 



105 



a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous 
Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, 
but unto all them also that love His appearing (2 Tim, 
iv. 6-8). I will lay me down in peace, and take my 
rest; for it is Thou, Lord, only, That makest me dwell 
in safety {Ps. iv. 9). None of us liveth to himself, and 
no man dieth to himself For whether we live, we live 
unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the 
Lord: whether we live therefore or die, we are the 
Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, 
and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead 
and living {Rom. xiv. 7-9). 



OLOVLNG Sa viour. Who didst die that we might 
be delivered from the fear of death; grant to Thy 
servant strength and confidence in Thee; assuage his 
pain: preserve him in the unity of the Church, keep his 
understanding right, bestow upon him the grace of con- 
trition and repentance, with true faith, a well-grounded 
hope, and abundant charity; give to this failing body a 
blessed and a glorious resurrection, and to this afflicted 
and redeemed soul a portion at Thy right hand amongst 
the blessed children of Thy Father, in the kingdom pre- 
pared for them from the beginning of the world; for 
thy mercy's sake. Who, with . . . 

OMOST merciful God, Who art the Father of the 
the fatherless, and defendest ,the cause of the 
widow; look down with mercy upon this family; lighten 
the anxiety of Thy servant; help him to trust in Thy 
loving care; that when Thou shalt call him hence, he 
may leave these dear ones whom Thou hast given him, 
with the full assurance that they will still be under Thy 
Almighty protection, and that Thy Fatherly hand will 
e^'er be over them to support and bless them; 
through . . . 

O MERCIFUL Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst re- 
deem us with Thy precious blood; have mercy 
upon the soul of Thy servant in this hour of his depart- 
ure, and graciously bring him to the joyful dwellings of 



106 



Hit tf}e l^aur of Jieatfj, 



Paradise, that he may there love Thee with that unspeak- 
able love which can never be separated from Thee and 
Thine elect; Who livest . . . ^ 

LORD, receive the soul of this Thy servant. Spare 
him whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy most 
precious blood. Deliver him from all evil, for whose 
sake Thou didst suffer all evil. From the crafts and 
assaults of the devil, from the fear of death, and from 
death eternal, good Lord, deliver him. Count not 
against him the errors of his youth, nor the sins and 
shortcomings of his after years, but grant him full par- 
don of all that is past. Strengthen him in this hour of 
need. Let not his faith waver, nor his hope fail, nor 
his love grow cold. Let the enemy have no advantage 
over him\ but let him die in peace, and rest in hope, 
and rise in glory; through . . . 

(The ''Commendatory prayer'' in the ''Visitation of 
the Sick." p. 23) 

GOD the Father bless thee. Who created all things 
in the beginning; the Son of God heal thee; the 
Holy Ghost enlighten thee, guard thy body, save thy 
soul, direct thy thoughts, and bring thee safe to the 
heavenly country; Who liveth and reigneth, God in a 
perfect Trinity, throughout all ages. 

GOD the Father preserve and keep thee. God the 
Son assist and strengthen thee. God the Holy 
Ghost defend and aid thee. God the Holy Trinity be 
ever with Thee, that thv death may b*3 precious in the 
sight of the Lord, with Whom thou shalt live forever. 

GOD, Who reneweth us unto everlasting life through 
the resurrection of His Son our Lord, clothe 
thee at His doming again with the joy of His eternal 
Kingdom. \ 



Jot tlje BKna, or for spiritual 3Ltgi)t anS ffiutSance. 107 



fot: ti^e OBltnti^ or fot^ Spiritual 
JLigi^t and (^ttiuance. 



HERE is sprung up a light for the righteous, and 



1 joyful gladness for such as are true-hearted {Ps. 
xcvii. 1 1). O hold Thou up my goings in Thy paths, 
that my footsteps slip not. As for me, I will behold 
Thy presence in righteousness; and when I awake up 
after Thy likeness, I shall be satisfied with it {Ps. xvii. 
5, 16). Lead me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness; 
make Thy way plain before my face {Ps. v. 8). I will 
inform thee, and teach thee in the way wherein thou 
shalt go: and I will guide thee with Mine eye {Ps. xxxii. 
9). I will bring the blind by a way that they knew 
not; I will Icdd them in paths that they have not known: 
I will make darkness light before them, and crooked 
things straight. These things will I do unto them, and 
not forsake them {Isa. xlii. 16). Thine eyes shall see 
the King in His beauty; they shall behold the land that 
is very far off {Isa. xxxiii. 17). The Lord is my light 
and my salvation; whom then shall I fear.? The Lord 
is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be 
afraid ? One thing have I desired of the Lord, which 
I will require, even that I may dwell in the house of 
the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the fair 
beauty of the Lord, and to visit His temple. For in 
the time of trouble He shall hide me in His tabernacle; 
yea, in the secret place of His dwelling shall He hide 
me, and set me up upon a rock of stone. O hide not 
Thou Thy face from me, nor cast Thy servant away in 
displeasure. Thou hast been my succor: leave me not, 
neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. Teach 
me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in the right way. I 
should utterly have fainted, but that I believe verily to 
see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living 




x08 JFor tije 5Slmti, or for spiritual ILigftt anu ffimoance* 

{Fs, xxvii. I, 4, 5, lo, ii, 13, 15). The Lord my 
God shall- make my darkness to be Hght {Ps. xviii. 28). 
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God 
{S/. Matt. V. 8). Behold what manner of love the 
Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called 
the sons of God ! therefore the world knoweth us not, 
because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the 
sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what w^e shall 
be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall 
be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And 
every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, 
even as He is pure (i St. John iii. 1-3). Behold, the eye of 
the Lord is upon them that fear Him, and upon them that 
put their trust in His mercv; to deliver their soul from 
death, and to feed them in the time of dearth. Our soul 
hath patiently tarried for the Lord; for He is our help and 
our shield {^Ps. xxxiii. 17-19). How excellent is Thy 
mercy, O God ! and the children of men shall put their trust 
under the shadow of Thy wings. They shall be satis- 
fied with the plenteousness of Thy house; and Thou 
shalt give them drink of Thy pleasures, as out of the 
river. For with Thee is the well of life; and in Thy 
light shall we see light. O continue forth Thy loving- 
kindness unto them that know Thee, andThy righteous- 
ness unto them that are true of heart {Ps. xxxvi. 7-10). 
Thy word is a lantern unto my feet, and a light unto my 
paths. I have sworn, and am steadfastly purposed, to 
keep Thy righteous judgments. My soul is alway in 
my hand; yet do I not forget Thy law. The ungodly 
have laid a snare for me; but yet I swerved not from 
Thy commandments. Hold Thou me up, and I shall 
be safe; yea, my delight shall be ever in Thy statutes 
{Ps, cxix. 105, 106, 109, no, 117). Blessed is he 
that hath the God of Jacob for his help, and whose hope 
is in the Lord his God: Who made heaven and earth, 
the sea, and all that therein is; Who keepeth His 
promise for ever; Who helpeth them to right that suffer 
wrong; Who feedeth the hungry. The Lord looseth 
men out of prison; the Lord giveth sight to the blind. 
The Lord helpeth them that are fallen; the Lord careth 



jFnr t])t 53Unn, cr for Spiritual Etigfjt antJ tottiance. 109 

for the righteous {Fs. cxlvi. 4-8). When I fall, I shall 
arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light 
unto me. He will bring me forth to the light, and I 
shall behold His righteousness {Micah vii. 8, 9). The 
Day-Spring from on high hath visited us, to give light 
to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, 
to guide our feet into the way of peace i^St. Luke i. 78, 
79). In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 
That was the true Light, Which lighteth every man that 
Cometh into the world {^St, John i. 4, 9). I am come 
a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me 
should not abide in darkness {^Si. John xii. 46). For 
God, Who commandeth the light to shine out of dark- 
ness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the 
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus 
Christ (2 Cor. iv. 6). 



OGOD of hope, the true Light of faithful souls, and 
perfect Brightness of the blessed, Who art verily 
the Light of Thy Church; grant that our hearts may bath 
offer unto Thee acceptable prayers, and also glorify Thee 
with praise and thanksgiving; through . . . 

GRANT, O Heavenly Father, that as in Thy Son, 
Jesus Christ, we see the likeness of Thy God- 
head in its holiness and love, so through the grace of 
Thy Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts we may be 
made like Him; and as we see Thee now by faith, we 
may know Thee face to face in the glory that shall be 
revealed; and to Thee, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be 
all worship now and evermore. 

O HEAVENLY Father, Who hast prepared for 
them that love Thee such good things as pass 
man's understanding, help us so to live in the contem- 
plation of Thee, that the sight of Thy Paradise may be 
to us as the sight of home. And grant that we may 
so walk in Thy light here, that we may walk hereafter 
in the light of Thy holy city, among the nations of 
them that are saved; through . . . 



110 JFor ti}e Blinti, or for spiritual 3Lfsf)t anti ©mtiance. 



ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, Who hast prom- 
ised to the pure in heart that they shall see 
Thee, grant unto us that the eyes of our understanding 
being enlightened, we may look forward in faith to 
those unspeakable joys which Thou hast prepared for 
them that unfeignedly love Thee;, and, being purified 
by Thy Holy Spirit, may be fitted to behold Thee as 
Thou art; through . . . 

SHINE into our hearts, O loving Master, by the 
pure light of the knowledge of Thyself; and 
open the eyes of our mind to Thy Gospel, and put 
within us the fear of Thy blessed commandments. 
Guard our life from all reproach by the seal of Thy 
Holy Spirit. Guide our steps into the way of peace. 
May we live in the Spirit and do all things according 
to Thy good pleasure. For Thou art our sanctification 
and our illumination; and to Thee, with the Father 
and the Holy Ghost, we render glory now and forever. 

OGOD, Who dividedst the day from the night; 
separate our deeds from the gloom of darkness, 
that ever meditating on things holy, we may continually 
live in Thy light; Through .... 

O FATHER of mercies, Who hast foreordained 
Thine elect to be conform.ed to the image of Thy 
Son; so conform us, we beseech Thee, unto Him in 
holiness, that when He shall appear, we may be made 
like unto Him in glory; through the same . . . 

OGOD, Who hast been pleased that Thy servant 
should be sightless, that he may from within look 
on Thee alone with the enlightened eyes of the heart; be 
Thou the light of our eyes, that we may be rid of the 
darkness of this w^orld, and reach the land of everlasting 
brightness, where all imperfections shall be done away; 
through . . . 

OLORD Jesus Christ, Who didst open the eyes of 
the blind who prayed untoThee; mercifully grant 
that we, trusting in Thy love, may so pass through the 
darkness of this present world, as at length to behold Thy 
Face in glory; Who livest . . . 



Ill 



O JESUS, Light of the world, and Sun of righteous- 
ness; look down in mercy upon this Thy servant. 
Thou earnest to give sight to the blind: give sight unto 
Mm in body and in soul. Enlighten our min,ds to see 
clearly the things which belong unto our everlasting 
peace. Keep us from the darkness of sin and ignorance. 
May the light of the glorious Gospel ever shine upon 
us. May we walk as children of the light: and when 
the night of this world is ended, may we have our part 
in the resurrection of the just, and seeing Thee face to 
face enter into the everlasting day. Hear us, O Saviour; 
Who livest . . . 

Benediction. 

CHRIST, the Salvation of God, mercifully accept thy 
service, and shine upon vny heart with His won- 
derful glory. 



GRACE be to you and peace from God our Father, 
and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be 
God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the 
Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who 
comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be 
able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the 
comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God 
(2 Cor. i. 2-4). Behold, there came a man named 
Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he 
fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought Him that He 
would come into his house: for he had one only 
daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a-dying. 
But as He went the people thronged Him. I'here 
Cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, 
saying to him, thy daughter is dead; trouble not the 
Master. But when Jesus heard it. He answered him 
saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made 
whole. And when He came into the house. He suf- 



112 



fered no man to go in, save Peter and James and John, 
and the father and the mother of the maiden. And all 
wept, and bewailed her: but He said, Weep not; she 
is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed Him tc 
scorn, knowing that she was dead. And He put them 
all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, 
Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose 
straightway {S^. Luke Yiii. 41, 42, 49-55). Then came 
the disciples unto Jesus, saying. Who is the greatest in 
the kingdom of Heaven ? And Jesus called a little 
child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, and 
said. Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and 
become as little children, ye shall not enter into the 
kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble 
himself as this little child, the same is greatest in 
the kingdom of heaven. Take heed that ye despise not 
one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in 
heaven their angels do always behold the face of My 
Father Which is m heaven. For the Son of man is 
come to save that which was lost. How think ye ? If 
a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be 
gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and 
goeth into the mountains, ' and seeketh that which is 
gone astray ? And if so be that he find it, verily I say 
unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the 
ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is 
not the will of your Father, Which is in heaven, that 
one of these little ones should perish {Sf. Malt, xviii. 
1-4, 10-14). I love them that love Me; and those 
that seek Me early shall find Me {Prov. viii. 17). Call 
upon Me in the time of trouble; so will I hear thee, 
and thou shalt praise Me [Ps. I. 15). 

O BLESSED Saviour, Good Shepherd of Thy re- 
deemed. Who lovest and carest tenderly for the 
lambs' of Thy flock; have mercy upon Thy child, and 
bear him in safety through this time of sickness and 
danger. Teach him to be meek and gentle and loving 
and obedient like Thyself And, if Thou art pleased 
to bring hi?7i back to health and strength, make him to 



113 



remember Thy goodness evermore, and so to live all 
h's days that /le may live with Thee, Who hast died to 
save h'm, in the endless bl ss and glory of heavens- 
Hear us, merciful Jesus, Who livest ... 

LORD, have pity upon the weakness of this child, 
and upon these parents who suffer in its suffer- 
ing. Give relief from its pains, and strengthen it strug- 
gling for life. Grant that it may live, and increase as in 
stature so in wisdom. Help us praying for its recovery 
to health to say, " Thy will be done.'' Preserve it to be 
Thy true and faithful servant here on earth, or take it to 
the blessedness of Thy children in the world to come; 
through . . . 

OGOD most merciful and gracious. Who hast 
taught us in Thy holy word to cast all our care 
upon Thee; relieve, we pray Thee, the anxiety of Thy 
servants; and, that they may trust themselves and their 
dear child wholly unto Thee, teach them ever more and 
more to know the greatness of Thy love and sympathy; 
which Thou hast revealed to us in Thy Son, our 
Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

OLORD Jesus Christ, Who didst heal all manner 
of sickness and disease amongst Thy people; 
give Thy blessing, we beseech Thee, to the means now 
used for the healing of this Thy child; that /le may be 
restored to health, and spared to worship Thee in the 
courts of Thy House on earth; Who, with . . . 

[Visitation office, p. 22]. 



HE grace of our Lord Jesus Christy and the love 



1 of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, 
be with us all evermore. Amen, 



Benediction, 




114 



JFor tfje ^gcK, 



for ti^e ageti^ 



HE hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found 



1 in the way of righteousness {Prav. xvi. 31). If 
thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands 
toward Him; if iniquity be in thine hand, put it far 
away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. 
For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot, yea, 
thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear: because thou 
shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that 
pass away: and thine age shall be clearer than the noon- 
day; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morn- 
ing. And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; 
yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy 
rest in safety. Also, thou shalt lie down, and none shall 
make thee afraid {Job xi. 13-19). Speak thou the 
things which become sound doctrine: that the aged men 
be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in 
patience: the aged women likewise, that they be in 
behavior as becometh holiness; not false accusers, not 
given to much wine, teachers of good things {Titus ii. 
1-3). Even to your old age I am He; and even to 
hoar hairs will I carry you; I have made, and I will 
bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you (Isa. xlvi. 4). 
Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a 
shock of corn cometh in his season {Job v. 26). Seek 
the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore {Ps, 
cv. 4). Through Thee have I been holden up ever 
since I was born. Cast me not away in the time of 
age; forsake me not when my strength faileth me {Ps. 
Ixxi. 5, 8). All the days of my appointed time will I 
wait, till my change come {Job xiv. 14). 



OLORD God, our House of defence and our Cas- 
tle, Who by Thy mercies and Thy loving Spirit 
hast taught us, and led us in Thy ways from our first 
years until now, and hast brought us to great honor, 
even the honor of adoption to be Thy children and heirs 




iFor tfje ^geti* 



115 



of Thy glorious promises, and hast comforted us with 
continual mercies; give us Thy grace, that we may love 
Thee, and long for Thee above all the things of this 
world. And as Thou hast holden us up ever since we 
were born, so let Thy mercy go with us to the end of 
our days; cast us not away in the time of age, nor suf- 
fer us to cast away Thy laws or to depart from Thee: 
so that after we have by Thy aid passed safely through 
all the dangers and trials of our pilgrimage, we may 
fall asleep in Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord, and 
when Thou bringest us from the deep of the earth again, 
we may have a joyful resurrection to the society of saints 
and angels, worshipping Thee, Trinity Ever-Blessed, 
for evermore; through . . . 

OGod, Who hast willed that we to whom it is ap- 
pointed once to die shall know not when the 
hour of our departure shall be; grant to us that we may 
walk before Thee in holiness and righteousness all our 
days, and be found ready for- our summons hence; 
through . . . 

OMOST merciful Father, we pray Thee on behalf 
of Thy servant whom Thou hast spared to live 
beyond the usually allotted years of man; look down 
from heaven, behold, visit, and relieve him; give him 
the comfort of Thy Holy Spirit; and grant him so per- 
fectly to trust in Thee, that he may enjoy that peace 
which Thou alone canst give, and at the last may fall 
asleep in Jesus; and with all Thy saints await with joy- 
ful hope the day of judgment; through the merits of . . . 

ALMIGHTY God, Who didst grant unto Thine 
aged servants, Simeon and Anna, to see with 
their bodily eyes the Infant Saviour; grant unto us, we 
beseech Thee, the spirit of purity and faith, that we may be 
ever waiting for and longing after the enjoyment of Thy 
presence; that our treasure may be laid up in heaven, 
and our affections set on things above; and that when 
Thou shalt call us hence, we may be ready to depart in 
hope, and may rest in peace; through . . . 



116 



ALMIGHTY and everlasting Saviour, Who hast 
taught us to watch and pray always, because we 
know not the day of Thy coming; grant unto Thy ser- 
vant that he may be found watching when Thou shalt call 
hiviixom tins world; that in the last great day, he may re 
ceiveThy blessing, and enter into Thy joy; Who, with . . . 

O ALMIGHTY Lord, Whose years endure through- 
out all generations; look mercifully upon this 
Thy servant who is passing down to the grave and whose 
strength is but labor and sorrow, and grant that his 
peace may be made with Thee before he goes to his 
long home. Forgive him all in which he has trans- 
gressed against Thee: and accept his prayers and ser- 
vices, imperfect though they be by reason of his infirm- 
ities: and may he be kept by Thy grace in constant 
readiness for Thy coming, at whatsoever hour it shall 
please thee to call him\ through . . . 

OGOD, the true Life of all things, Who hast re- 
vealed Thy Son as the Resurrection and the 
Life; enable us so to die to sin and live to Thee, that 
we may also die to fear, and live in hope of our perfect 
consummation and bliss both in body and soul, in Thy 
eternal kingdom; for the sake of . . . 

OLORB Jesus Christ, the Strength of them that put 
their trust in Thee: vouchsafe unto Thy servant 
increase of spiritual might as his bodily vigor faileth; and 
grant that as his eyes become dim and his ears dull to 
earthly things, his affections may be the more se<" on 
things above; through Thy mercy, Who . . . 

OGOD Who hast taught us that we have here no 
continuing city, but that we are strangers and 
pilgrims upon earth; mercifully grant unto Thy servant, 
who hath long and wearily travelled in the wilderness 
of this world, gladly to hear Thy voice when Thou callest 
him, and grace to attain unto his true home; through. . . 
Benediciion. 

CHRIST, the Son of God, our great High-Priest, . 
Who is passed into the heavens, pour down 
upon thee from thence His everlasting benediction. 



3In 5>{rftness %anQ^€dntumtti. 



117 



3In ^itMm JLong ContinueH* 



THE book of Job, in course, with brief explanations. 
Psalms vi. 1-9; xvi; xxiii; xxv; xxxi; xxxii; 
xxxix; xlii; li; Ixi; Ixiii. 1-9; Ixxvii; Ixxxiv; Ixxxvi. 
1-12; xc; xci; cxxi; cxxx; cxxxviii; cxxxix; cxliii. i-ii. 
Isaiah liii. St. Matthew v; vi; vii; xxv. St. John iii; 
v; vi; xiv; xv; xvi; xvii. Romans viii. i Cor. xiii. 
2 Cor. iv; v. Eph. ii; iii; iv. Rev. ii; iii; xxi; xxii. 
The Passion and Death of our Blessed Lord: St. 
Matthew xxvi; xxvii. St. Mark xiv; xv. St. Luke 
xxii; xxiii. St. John xiii; xviii; xix. 

O ALMIGHTY Father, our only Good, without 
Whom our life is but one continued evil, our 
Salvation and our Health, withput Whom our ^life is 
but a never-ending disease, Who scourgest our sins 
with afflictions and thereby workest in us true repen- 
tance; teach us, we pray Thee, to glory in tribulations 
and to find in them Thy loving kindness. Grant that 
we may see the wisdom of Thy overruling Providence, 
and trust Thy mercy and gentleness, confiding in Thy 
Fatherly love even when thou dost most heavily chasten 
us, and adoring Thy grace which converteth every trial 
into a means of eternal and heavenly glory. Look in 
mercy, we beseech thee, upon us, and cast us not away 
in Thy displeasure, but forgive our sins which are many. 
For His sake Who did nothing amiss, be reconciled 
unto us who do nothing well. Wash away our guilt in 
His most precious blood, and subdue the power of evil 
in us by His mighty grace. And if yet in Thy wisdom 
Thou see fit to prolong Thy corrections. Thy blessed 
will be done. If Thou try us like as silver is tried, 
casting us into the fire of suffering, take us out at length 
from thence purified and meet for Thy service here and 
Thy Kingdom hereafter. How bitter soever our trial 
be, let it prove medicinal, curing all the diseases of our 



118 



souls, and bringing forth in us the peaceable fruits of 
righteousness, to Thy honor and glory, and to our ever- 
lasting salvation; through . . . 

LOOK down, O gracious God, we humbly beseech 
Thee, with an eye of compassion on this Thy 
poor distressed servant, who hath lain so long under 
Thy heavy hand; and by how much the outward man 
is weakened and brought low, by so much the more do 
Thou be pleased to help /im in the inner man, by the 
comforts and sanctifying power of Thy Holy Spirit; 
through . . . 

OGOD, Ever-living, Who art about our path and 
about our bed, and knowest all our ways; cause 
Thy servant to remember Thee and to meditate upon 
Thee in the night-watches; make hm to commune with 
h's own heart, that examining himself 2,^ in Thy sight, 
and devoting himself unto Thee in -true repentance and 
a trustful spirit, he may be wholly Tnine; through . . . 

O ALMIGHTY God, with Whom nothing is im- 
possible: grant unto this Thy servant a longer 
continuance amongst us, and' speedily deliver him from 
this sorrowful estate under which he hath so long 
groaned. Let Thy blessing be upon him, we beseech 
Thee, that he may be again brought to rejoice before 
Thee in the assemblies of Thy saints upon the earth; or, 
if in Thy wise counsels Thou hast otherwise appointed, 
that he may rest in Thy Paradise, and at last be exalted 
to praise Thee in the great assembly of Saints and angels 
in heaven; through . . . 

GRANT, O Lord, that he may so meekly and cheer- 
fully resign his will unto Thee to suffer what 
Thou inflictest. that he may be the more disposed to do 
readily whatsoever Thou commandest; for the merits ol 
Thy Blessed Son, our Saviour. 

O MERCIFUL God, by Whose Fatherly love we 
are helped in our infirmities; take us under the 
shadow of Thy wings, guard us against our spiritual 
enemies, and deliver us from all evil. If Thou makest 



In Sickness ^onQ-^ontimtti, 



119 



I'liy people sorrowful awhile, make them joyful again 
with the comfortable assurance of Thy favor, and refresh 
them with the consolations of Thy Holy Spirit. Send 
angels of strength and peace from Thy right hand, lest 
the length and burden of the way should be for us too 
great. O Lord, lift up the light of Thy countenance upon 
us. Give times of rest to our bodies, and abiding 
peace to our souls; through Him Who died for our 
reconciliation unto Thee, and left us the promise of 
rest and peace everlasting. Thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus 
Christ. 

O MERCIFUL God, Thou hast long kept Thy ser- 
vant under Thy chastening hand, Thou hast 
made /iim acquainted with grief, and his sickness is even 
become h's familiar companion; yet, grant, Blessed 
Lord, that /le may not be impatient under Thy chastise- 
ment, but may constantly believe that Thou hast a kind 
purpose even in Thy bitterest dispensations. Teach h'm 
to see love in Thy rod, and justice in all Thy dealings: 
let not /lis faith fail nor /iis patience be overcome, and 
mercifully give unto /i?m relief from Ais weariness and 
pain, and a happy end of this long visitation. 
Help h'm to improve this trial to /it's spiritual benefit, 
that whatever appertains to /lis everlasting salvation 
may be promoted and perfected through the riches of 
Thy ^race, and the multitude of Thy mercies in Jesus 
Christ our Lord. 

MOST compassionate Lord and Saviour; let Thy 
infinite mercies be upon this Thy servant. May 
it be Thy will that /le may live and not die from this 
sickness, and that he may be speedily delivered out of it. 
Bless all the means used for /iis recovery: release /lim 
from /lis pain: increase and strengthen /it's patience. 
Grant to /lim repentance for all the errors of /it's life past, 
and steadfast faith in Thee, a comfortable assurance ir^ 
Thy precious promises, a strong sense of Thy love and 
care towards /im, and a lively hope of immortal bliss, 
that /le may heartily love Thee, ever confide in Thee, 



120 



and absolutely resign himself both in body and soul 
unto Thy wisdom; Who, with the Father and the Holy 
Ghost, livest . . . 

Benediction. 

MAY the Father bless thee Who in the beginning 
created all things; m^y the Son of God heal 
thee; may the Holy Ghost enlighten thee, guard thy 
body, save thy soul, direct thy thoughts, and bring 
thee safe to the heavenly country: Who liveth and 
reigneth, God in a perfect Trinity, throughout all ages. 

^Praa^rs for Fartous Neelis m 

^\i\mm, ^tx\\, ant) 9I«fit:mit^^ 

In Sleeplessness. 

OLORD Jesus Christ, Who didst suffer agony and 
wakefulness on the night before Thy Passion; 
we beseech Thee of Thine infinite mercies look upon 
Thy servant, grant him repose for his body and peace 
for his soul, and bring him finally into that place where 
the weary are at rest for evermore; Who livest ... 

CONSIDER, O Merciful God, the weakness of Thy 
servant which calls aloud to Thee for rest; may 
he remember Thee upon his bed, and find the thought 
of Thy tender-mercies to be his comfort: and let Thy 
goodness give sleep to his eyes and refreshment to his 
weariness; through ... 

SHED forth the light of Thy countenance, O Lord, 
we beseech Thee, upon all those who cannot find 
rest in the night season. Calm them by the gracious 
influence of Thy Holy Spirit, and surround them with 
the ministrations of Thy holy angels. Keep their 
minds from all foreboding thoughts and temptations of 



?|ragcx3 iat Uarious Neetrs, etc. 



121 



evil, and suggest to them such truths as shall be most 
fitted for their necessity. Keep their bodies from rest- 
lessness, and grant that they may learn in patient wait- 
ing for the day of Thy revelation to rejoice with Thy 
saints while the night of earthly life remains, that they 
may exult in Thy glory when all who have persevered 
shall enter into Thy rest, to dwell in Thy light for ever; 
through . . . 

I^or threatened Blindness, 

O FAT HER of mercies, Who dost not willingly af- 
flict or grieve the children of men; we acknowl- 
edge that it is in wisdom and mercy that Thou hast 
been pleased to lay Thy .chastening hand upon this Thy 
servant. Grant him grace, we meekly beseech Thee, to 
bow with humble and thankful resignation to Thy holy 
will. Let him never rebel against Thy decree. Remove 
if it be possible this trial from him, yet not our will but 
Thine be done. Strengthen him to bear his cross; let 
Thy grace be sufficient for him, and Thy strength be 
made perfect in h^s weakness. And if he may not be 
blessed with restored sight here in this world, grant to 
himikidX at the last, beholding "the land that is very 
far off," his eyes may "see the King in His beauty;" for 
the sake of Him Who came to be the Light of the 
world, Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

OMOST merciful Father, Who hast been pleased 
to visit Thy servant with this affliction which 
threatens to deprive hivi of Thy gift of sight; look in 
mercy Mf^on him, we beseech Thee, and give him the 
comfort of Thy presence to cheer him in his distress. 
Help him to bear with patience whatever Thou shalt see 
fit to lay upon hivi; and if it be Thy will to take from 
him the light of his bodily eyes, yet let Thy Holy Spirit 
shed His bright rays of heavenly light upon his soul, 
and teach hhn so to know Thee now by faith, that after 
this life he may with all Thy saints enjoy the vision of 
Thy glorious Godhead; for the sake of . . . 



122 



^Iragcrs ioi Various Neetis, etc. 



A/7er attempted Suicide, 

ALMIGHTY and gracious Lord; let not a sense of 
the greatness of the sin to which this Thy ser- 
vant hath been tempted cause him to beheve that he is 
past all hope of pardon by Thy mercy, or of being made 
better by Thy grace; but may he fully know that as 
Thou art most justly angered by our sins, so Thou art 
most easy to be reconciled by a true repentance. Let 
him remember the word of Thy Well-Beloved Son, 
''There is joy in heaven over one sinner that 
repenteth. " Continue to him Thy favor and protection 
in prolonging his life, and help hivi so faithfully to serve 
Thee in this world that he may ever live with Thee in 
the world to come; through . . . 

ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, Who sparest 
when we deserve punishment and in Thy wrath 
thinkest upon mercy; hear the prayer of Thy servant 
who turns to Thee in bitter self-condemnation, acknowl- 
edging the guilt of his offence and humbly imploring 
nardon. Lead him, O Lord, to a right sense of state 
before Thee. Help hiin truly to repent, that he may 
gain not only forgiveness of his past transgressions but 
also grace to devote the life which Thou hast spared to 
Thee and to Thy service; that he may not be cast out 
of Thy sight as an unprofitable servant but may at last 
be admitted to Thy heavenly Kingdom; for the sake 
of . . . 

(Prayers on pp. 89, 90, 97.) 

For one Lame in his Sickness. 

O ALMIGHTY God, Who art ''eyes to the blind 
and feet to | the lame;'" have pity, we entreat 
Thee, on Thy servatit: help him in his distress, and bless 
the means made use of for his cure. May he be enabled 
to realize t t Thou hast lifted up Thy hand upon hi?n 
for this very purpose that he may learn to walk humbly 
with Thee, and turn his feet to Thy testimonies. Give 
\ 



Praters for Uarious Neetis, etc. 



123 



him patience that he may bear his pains without mur- 
muring. Satisfy him of Thy care over him and tender 
regard towards hiin; and in Thy good time restore him 
to health that he may worship Thee in Thy house with 
the voice of praise and thanksgiving. But whatever 
Thy wisdom may appoint for him^ help us to say, ' ' Thy 
will be done/' so keeping us in Thy paths that our 
footsteps slip not and that we come finally to Thy holy 
hill and to Thy dwelling; through . . . 

Fo7' one Insensible. 

OLORD, God Almighty; hear us, we beseech 
Thee, in behalf of this Thy servant, and restore 
to hi7n the blessing of consciousness, if it be Thy will; 
but if, in Thy wisdom, he shall go hence, in this con- 
dition of insensibility, pardon, merciful God, his 
offences, and accept his repentance and preparation 
made before the coming of this grievous affliction. 
Receive him, we entreat Thee, into the arms of Thy 
mercy; that so this short night may quickly be turned 
into everlasting day, and after these dark shadows are 
passed he may attain to the land where in Thy light he 
may see light; through . . . 

OGOD, Who art graciously pleased to accept a 
ready mind, and to reward us according to that 
we have, not according to that we have not; be merci- 
ful unto this Thy servant, who by reason of weakness 
cannot now pray unto Thee, nor fix his mind upon 
Thee, and as Thou knowest his needs and his desires so 
do Thou in Thy bounty fulfil them; for the sake of . . . 

OLORD, we beseech Thee, have mercy upon Thy 
servant, who is like unto them that lie in the 
grave. Open his eyes to behold Thy wonders, and his 
ears to hear Thy word; loose his tongue that he may 
make his prayer unto Thee; raise him up that he may 
serve Thee; and of Thy great goodness restore him 
whole to Thy Church; through . . . 



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i^rajgers for Fartous NecJs, etc. 



O MERCIFUL God; let not this deep sleep which 
is fallen upon Thy servant continue on into the 
sleep of death, but be the repose of one recovering; 
and awaken hhyi out of it in due time to give Thee 
thanks, and K) lead the rest of his life in Thy fear and 
to Thy glory. But, if it be Thy will to take him to Thy- 
self, accept we beseech Thee his past repentance and ear- 
nest desires, his faith and obedience. Hear, we beseech 
Thee, our prayers for him; look not upon his sins but 
to pardon them; nor on his weaknesses but to pity 
them; and bring him with us to the blessed enjoyment 
of Thy love; through . . . 

For the Insane. 

ALMIGHTY God, Whose wisdom is infinite, Whose 
goodness hath no bounds, and Whose mercy is 
everlasting; let Thy compassion be magnified upon those 
who need it but cannot ask it; who are in misery which 
they know not, who do actions without choice, or 
choose without discretion and sober unde: standing. 
Pity the evil which they suffer, and pardon the evils 
which they commit, imputing not unto them that whicli 
they rather endure than perform; and let not their 
entrance into this calamity be an exclusion from theh- 
future pardon, but may this misery which they bear be 
united to the sufferings of Him Who bore our griefs 
and carried our sorrows, and be sanctified by his inter- 
cession, and be an instrument of their peace. Restore 
them, we beseech Thee, to health and reason; suffer 
them not to do violence to any, and let no violence be 
done to them. Keep them safe under the protection 
of Thy good providence, and innocent under the guid- 
ance of Thy Holy Spirit; that when Thou shalt return 
and speak peace to Thy people they too may rejoice in 
Thy mercies and salvation. Grant this. Almighty God 
and Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our Lord and Saviour. 

OLORD God, Who art the Fountain of wisdom; 
mercifully restore the understanding of Thy 
servant that he may glorify Thy holy Name. Lay not 



?|ragers for Fartous NeeUs, etc. 



125 



to his charge whatever of evil he may do or say in the 
time of his affliction, but of Thy great goodness visit 
him and heal him, that he may sit in his right mind at 
Thy feet; through . . . 

OTHOU Sovereign Healer of all spiritual and 
bodily diseases; direct us in our great ignorance 
of the nature of all mental maladies to the means most 
proper for help in this calamity; and so bless and pros- 
per them to a favourable issue that, being recovered 
from his sad estate, Thy servant may evermore for Thy 
great mercy praise Thy holy Name; through . . . 

OMOST merciful Lord, Who didst hearken to the 
prayer of the father in the Gospel and didst 
restore the disordered mind of his child; we pray Thee 
to have compassion upon this family and hear our 
prayers on behalf of this Thy servant whose reason has 
been taken away. We know, O Lord, that Thy judg- 
ments are right, and that Thou of very faithfulness hast 
caused us to be troubled; yet, if it be Thy will, spare 
Thy people whom Thou lovest, and remove from them 
this affliction. Thou alone canst help them; direct 
them in their care and perplexity; restore Thy servant 
to his right mind again; and grant them a happy issue 
out of all their troubles: and this we ask for Thy 
mercies' sake. Who with the Father and the Holy 
Ghost livest and reignest, one God, world without 
end. 

For the Feeble in Intellect, and the Idiotic. 

ALMIGHTT and most Merciful Father; look down 
we beseech Thee in mercy upon this family, and 
of Thy compassion send relief unto Thy servant; 
remove this heavy affliction, if it be Thy gracious will; 
or if not, yet grant, O Lord, that the inward man may 
be enlightened with such a measure of Thy Holy Spirit 
as shall seem expedient unto Thee. Let Thy great 
mercy be upon him; keep him from doing anything dis- 
pleasmg unto Thee, preserve him in safety, and when 



126 



Pragers for Uarious Nec^s, ttt. 



Thou shalt see fit to call Aim hence, take h'm to rest in 
peace " until the day break and the shadows flee away;" 
for the sake of . . . 

O ETERNAL and -most blessed Saviour, Who art 
the Wisdom of the Father, and art made unto 
us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and re- 
demption; have pity upon those to whom Thou hast 
given life and no understanding: be very gracious unto 
them, for Thou hatest nothing that Thou hast made, 
and lovest every soul Thou hast redeemed; impute not 
unto them their follies that are unavoidable, nor the 
sins which they discern not; keep them from all evil 
and sad mischances, and make supply of their want of 
the defences of reason by the special guard of angels; 
and let Thy holy life and Thy sufferings be accepted 
and Thy intercession prevail for them: that whereas 
they cannot glorify Thee by a free obedience. Thou 
mayest be glorified by Thy free mercies unto them; and 
for their destitution of good in this world let them 
receive eternal blessings in the world to come; through 
Thy merits, Who livest . . . 

OGOD, All-wise, Whose -ways are past finding out; 
we pray Thee of Thy great goodness to look 
upon Thy servant whom Thou hast afflicted with weak- 
ness and darkness of mind; grant unto kirn to be 
strengthened and enlightened with Thy Spirit in the 
inner man, that /le to whom Thou hast denied earthly 
wisdom may be filled within with that knowledge ol 
Thee which passeth all understanding; through . . . 

In Child-birth, 

OMOST merciful God; we beseech Thee look vith 
mercy upon Thy servant in her time of need; 
help her to put her whole trust in Thee; lighten her 
pains so far as may be in accordance with Thy will, and 
give her increase of strength to bear them; keep her 
safe under Thy Almighty care, and in Thine own good 
time grant her a happy deliverance, and make her the 
joyful mother of a hopeful child; for the sake of . . . 



^xa^ra for Farious Neetis, etc* 



127 



OGOD, Who for the sin of our first mother didst 
ordain that woman should bring forth children 
in sorrow; regard, we pray Thee, the supplications of 
this Thy servant, who tumeth unto Thee in trust and 
lowlmess, and grant that she being protected by Thy 
power and blessed by Thy grace, may speedily have her 
sorrow turned into joy; through . . . 

OGOD, Who lookest always lovingly upon Thy 
creatures; bow down Thine ears to our prayers, 
and have mercy upon Thy servant suffering under great 
weakness of body; visit her with Thy salvation: grant 
unto her the medicine of Thy heavenly grace, and by 
Thy Almighty power preserve her offspring both in body 
and soul; through ... 

F'or the New-horn Infant, 

OGOD, Who didst send Thine Only-Begotten Son 
into the world as a little child; mercifully look 
upon this infant and protect him with Thy heavenly 
grace; vouchsafe unto him soundness of body and mind, 
and grant that he increasing in wisdom and stature ma} 
evermore find favor with Thee; through the same, Thy 
Son, our Lord. 

Thanksgiving after Child-birth. 

O ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, in Whom 
we live and move and have our being, and by 
Whom we have been holden up ever since we were born; 
we bless Thy holy Name for Thy great mercy in deliver- 
ing Thy servant from the great pains and perils of 
child-birth; we praise that infinite love which gave 
strength to her weakness, and upheld her in the hour 
of anxiety and anguish. Continue to her, we pray 
Thee, Thy fatherly goodness, and grant that she may 
have such a thankful heart for Thy great mercy that she 
may in all thinks seek to serve and please Thee. 

WE commend unto Thy care this child; preserve 
him that he may live to be regenerated and 
born again in Baptism, that as he is Thine by creation 
he may therein be made Thine by adoption and grace: 



128 



ilragers for Uartous 5^ee5s, etc. 



and so grant unto him the gifts of Thy Holy Spirit that h€ 
may ever be of Thy faithful servants, and at last be num- 
bered with Thy saints in glory everlasting; through . . . 

For the Deaf and Dumb, 

OGOD, our Heavenly Father, Whose dearly beloved 
Son Jesus Christ, when He dwelt on earth, went 
about doing good; unstopping the ears of the deaf, and 
loosening the tongues of the dumb; look down with 
loving eyes upon all Thy deaf and mute children, and 
give them the special blessing of Thy mercy and grace. 
Let Thy fatherly hand ever be over them, let Thy Holy 
Spirit ever be with them; so that they may learn the 
truth as it is in Jesus, and believe in, and rest upon Him 
as the Saviour of their souls, and find in Him that joy 
and peace which the Holy Ghost only can bestow. Be 
with them, we beseech Thee, in all the trials and duties 
and dangers of this life, and may they so live in Thy 
fear and love here, that in the world to come they may 
ever, with open ears, and loving tongues, show forth 
Thy praise in Thy heavenly Kingdom. 

Hear us, O Lord God, through Thy Son Jesus Christ, 
to Whom, with Thee O Father, and Thee O Holy 
Ghost, be all honor and glory now and forever. Amen. 

For the Attendants on the Sick. 

MERCIFUL Lord; we beseech Thee to strengthen 
and support Thy servants who are called to 
minister to the sufferer and to watch beside the bed of 
sickness. Give them grace to fulfil their task with 
patient endurance and with loving tenderness. Comfort 
them in their weariness with the comfort of Thy Holy 
Spirit. May this season of trial, anxiety, and labor, help 
them forward in the way that leadeth to everlasting life. 
May we so learn to number our days that we may apply 
our hearts unto wisdom, and seek those things which 
are above; that when we, in our turn, lie down to suffer 
and to die we may be able, with lowly submission and 
loving trust to commit ourselves into Thy merciful 
keeping: through ... 



Prager^ for Uamus 'NttHs, etc. 



129 



I^or the Physician. 

OLORD Jesus Christ, Who art the Great Physician; 
aid and guide Thou all earthly physicians in the 
work Thou hast committed unto them; and especially 
direct and assist him who ministers here in this sick- 
ness, and bless the remedies which his skill employs. 
Endue him with Thy grace and salvation, and accom- 
pany with Thy healing power all the means made use 
of for the recovery of this Thy servant, that he may be 
restored whole to Thy Church, prepared in heart as well 
as in body to serve Thee all his days; to the glory of 
Thy Name, Who, with . . . 

In preparation for the Holy Communion. 

OLORD Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, Who 
by the will of the Father and by the power of the 
Holy Ghost, hast given life unto the world by Thy 
death; deliver us by Thy sacred Body and Blood from 
all our sins, and keep us from all evil. Make us to 
abide always in Thy commandments, and suffer us not 
to be ever separated from Thee; Who livest . . . 

OKING of heaven and earth, rich in mercy; be- 
hold, we are poor and needy; look graciously 
upon us, and from the treasures of Thy goodness 
succor the poverty of our souls; that, filled with Thy 
love, we may seek nothing out of Thee wherein .to re- 
joice; through . . . 

OLORD our God; grant us so to receive the Body 
and Blood of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, 
that by means thereof we may have forgiveness of all 
our sins, and be filled with Thy Holy Spirit; O our 
God, Who livest and reignest, world without end. 

ALMIGHTY, Everlasting God, behold, we draw 
near to the Sacrament of Thy Only-Begotten 
Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; Sinners, we come to the 
Fountain of mercy; sick, to the great Physician; blind, 
to the Light of Eternal Splendor; poor and in need, to 



130 



53tas^^s far Farious NeeUs, etc. 



the Lord of all things. And we pray Thee to wash 
away our sins, enlighten our blindness, and be to us 
pure apparel, and riches, and saving health; that we 
may receive the Bread of heaven, the King of kings and 
Lord of lords, with a humble, lowly, and contrite heart, 
with a lively faith in Thy mercy, and a sincere desire 
to do Thy holy will. O send out Thy light and Thy 
truth that they may lead us, and that we may go with 
meet preparedness unto the altar of God, even the God 
of our joy and gladness; through the merits of the same. 
Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 

OLORD Jesus Christ", our Saviour and Redeemer, 
Who in Thy last supper with Thine Apostles 
didst deliver Thy blessed Body and Blood under the 
form of bread and w^ne; grant us, we beseech Thee, 
ever steadfastly to believe in Thine incomprehensible 
ove towards us, and that we may worthily receive the 
same blessed Sacrament according to Thy holy ordin- 
ance, that thereby we may obtain increase of all good- 
ness, in unity of pirit with Thee our Head, and by 
Thee with all the company of them that are truly Thine; 
for Thy Name's sake, Who livest. . . . 

OLORD, our God, the Bread of heaven, and the 
Life of the world; we have sinned against heaven 
and before Thee, and are not worthy to partaVe of Thy 
mysteries; but in Thy divine tenderness do Thou vouch- 
safe us by Thy grace to receive Thy holy Body and 
precious Blood without condemnation, unto remission 
of sins, and unto eternal life; Who, with . . . 



©ffices anH ^Iragra for Mittrs Occasions. 



131 



€)fKce!ci atxD prater?! for ?^it>erjs 

4/?^^ <^ Death, 

( This office, and the next, may sometimes be found useful 
on occasion of funerals not in Church. ) 

IT is better to go to the house of mourning than to go 
to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all 
men; and the Hving will lay it to his heart {^cc/. vii. 2). 
It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the 
judgment {Jled. ix. 27). Your fathers, where are 
they ? and the prophets, do they live for ever ? (Zech. i. 
5). Man dieth and v/asteth away; yea, man giveth up 
the ghost, and where is he ? As the waters fail from the 
sea, and the flood decayeth, and drieth up; so man 
lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, 
they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep 
{Job x\\\ 10-12). lie shall be brought to the grave, 
and shall remain in the tomb. The clods of the valley 
shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after 
him, as there are innumerable before him [Job xxi. 32, 
33). I know that Thou wilt bring me to death, and to 
the house appointed for all living {Job xxx. 23). The 
days of man are but as grass; for he flourisheth as a 
flower of the field. For as soon as the wind goeth over 
it, it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no 
more {Ps. ciii. 15, 16). We are strangers before Thee, 
O Lord, and sojourners, as were all our fathers; our 
days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none 
abiding (i Chron. xxix. 15). Whatsoever thy hand 
findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no 
work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the 
grave, whither thou goest {EccL ix. 10). Like as a 
father pitieth his own children, even so is the Lord 
merciful unto them that fear Him. For He knoweth 
whereof we are made, He remembereth that we are but 



132 



<BWict% ant? ilragers for ©titers ^crasions. 



dust {Fs. ciii. 13, 14). The merciful goodness of the 
Lord endureth for ever and ever upon them that fear 
Him, and His righteousness upon children's children, 
even upon such as keep His covenant, and think upon 
His commandments to do them {Ps. ciii. 17, 18). The 
Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not 
at all acquit the wicked. The Lord is good, a strong- 
hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that 
trust in Him {Nakum, i. 3, 7). Here have we no con- 
tinuing city, but we seek one to come {Hed. xiii. 14). 
Give diligence to make your calling and election sure; 
so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly 
into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ (2 Sf. Peter i. 10, 11). I would not have 
you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which 
are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have 
no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose 
again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God 
bring with Him. The Lord Himself shall descend 
from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the arch- 
angel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in 
Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and 
remain shall be caught up together with them in the 
clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we 
ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another 
with these words (i Thess. iv. 13, 14, 16-18). 



O ALMIGHTY God, Judge of the quick and the 
dead; so fit and prepare us, we beseech Thee, 
for that last account which we must one day give, that 
when the time of our appointed change shall come, we 
may look up to Thee with joy and comfort, and may at 
last be received together with him whom Thou hast now 
taken from us, and with all that are near and dear to 
us, into that place of rest and peace where Thou shalt 
Thyself wipe away all tears from off all faces, and where 
all our troubles and sorrows shall have an end; through 
the merits and for the sake of . . . 



(BWim anU Pragers for IBtbers Occasions. 133 



OLORD Jesus Christ, Who by Thy death didst take 
away the sting of death; grant unto us Thy ser- 
vants, so to follow in faith where Thou hast led the way, 
that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in Thee; 
and, when we awake, may in righteousness behold Thy 
Face, and be forever satisfied, in the vision of that glory 
in which with the Father and the Holy Ghost Thou 
livest and reignest One God, world without end. 

ALMIGHTY God, Who governest all things in 
heaven and earth- with infinite wisdom and 
infinite love, bringing good out of evil and joy out of 
sorrow; have compassion on this family, and change their 
present affliction into holiness and blessing. Help them 
to accept in humble submission the cross Thou givest 
them to bear. Let them not sorrow as having no hope, 
nor murmur at Thy dispensation, nor desire but that 
Thy will may be done. In all their troubles may their 
w^hole trust and confidence be placed in Thy mercy. 
Sanctify unto them Thy fatherly correction. Comfort 
them with a sense of Thy goodness. Sustain them by 
Thy All-powerful Spirit. Prepare them by Thy grace 
for the time of their own departure; and bring them 
unto life everlasting; through . . . 

OMOST Mighty, most Merciful Father; look down 
in Thy infinite pity upon these bereaved ones, 
smitten to the dust, and overwhelmed with the- great- 
ness and suddenness of this sorrow. Let Thy mercy 
be upon us as we do put our trust in Thee. We cast 
ourselves down before Thee; receive our prayer. Help 
them to bear this weight of sorrow. Help them to be- 
lieve that Thou lovest them. Let Thy love shine 
graciously upon them in this dark day. Grant unto 
them Thy blessing of resignation and trust in Thee. 
Support and comfort them with Thy Holy Spirit. And 
enable them so to do and to bear Thy holy will, that 
after all the changes and trials of this mortal life they 
may in Thy Paradise be united again with loved ones 
gone before; through . . . 



134: 



^fiKces anU ^Prasers for Bibers Occasions, 



IN Thy mercy and majesty, be Thou, O Lord, our 
refuge, Who art our redemption. Direct our minds 
by Thy gracious presence, and watch over our paths 
with guiding love; that while we walk among things which 
are passing away, our hearts may cling to those that 
shall abide; till we come to the land of rest, and at last 
to the heavenly city; through Thy merits, Who, 
with . . . 

O MIGHTY Lord, and Blessed Saviour, Who of 
Thy merciful love didst humble Thyself and be- 
come obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, 
for our redemption, and didst ascend to the right hand 
of the Father for the full accomplishment of our peace; 
graciously apply to our souls the infinite merits of Thy 
sacred passion, and with Thy precious blood cleanse us 
from all our sins; and grant that we may live in Thee 
the life of grace here, and attain the life of glory here- 
after: for Thy mercies' sake, Who livest ... 

OLORD Jesus Christ, Who hast promised to come 
again in like manner as Thou didst go into 
heaven; we pray Thee to hasten the time of Thine 
Advent, that sin and death may be overcome, and that 
we with all Thy faithful departed may be perfected in 
blessedness in that day when Thou makest up Thy 
jewels; through Thy mercy, Who, with . . . 

OGOD, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of 
Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is 
named; we rejoice before Thee in the blessed com- 
munion of all Thy saints, wherein Thou givest us also 
to have part. We praise Thee for the holy fellowship 
of patriarchs and prophets, apostles and martyrs, and 
the whole glorious company of the redeemed of all ages, 
who have died in the Lord, and now live with Him for 
evermore. We give thanks unto Thee for Thy great 
grace and manifold gifts bestowed on those who have 
thus gone before us in the way of salvation. Enable 
us to follow their faith, that we may enter at death into 



Ifter t\)Z ©eatf) of a ^fjilU* 



135 



their joy, and abide with them in rest and peace, till 
both they and we shall reach our common consummation 
of redemption and bliss in the glorious resurrection of 
the last day; through . . . 



HE God of peace, Who brought again from the 



1 dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd 
of the sheep, through the Blood of the everlasting 
covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do 
His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in 
His sight; through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory for 
ever and ever. 



A VOICE was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and 
bitter weeping; Rachel, weeping for her chil- 
dren, refused to be comforted for her children, because 
they were not. Thus saith the Lord, Refrain thy voice 
from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work 
shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come 
again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope 
in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall 
come again to their own border {/er. xxxi. 15-17). 
And David said. While the child was yet alive, 1 fasted 
and wept: for I said. Who can tell whether God will be 
gracious to me, that the child may live ? But now 
he is dead, wherefore should I fast ? Can I bring him 
back again ? I shall go to him, but he shall not return 
to me (2 Sam. xii. 22, 23). Jesus said, Suffer the little 
children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of 
such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, 
whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a 
little child, he shall not enter therein. And He took 
them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and 



Benediction. 




^ftet ti^e ?^eati^ of a Cl^dti. 



136 



^fter t\)t ©eati) of a (JEfjiirr, 



blessed them (^/. Mark x. 14-16). Repent, and be 
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ 
for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of 
the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to 
your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many 
as the Lord our God shall call {Ac/s ii. 38, 39). Not 
by works of righteousness which we have done, but 
according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of 
regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which 
He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our 
Saviour; that, being justified by His grace, we should 
be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life 
(Titus iii. 5-7). After this I beheld, and, lo, a great 
multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, 
and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before 
the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white 
robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud 
voice, saying. Salvation to our God Which sitteth upon 
the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels 
stood round about the throne, and about the elders, 
and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their 
faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen : blessing, 
and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, 
and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and 
ever: Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying 
unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white 
robes 1 And whence came they t And I said unto 
him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me. These are 
they w^hich came out of great tribulation, and have 
washed their robes, and made them white in the 
blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the 
throne of God, and serve Him day and night in 
His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall 
dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, 
neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light 
on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb Which is 
in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and 
shall l^ad them unto living fountains of waters; and 
God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes [Rev. 
vii. 9-17). 



^fter tije IBeatij of a (liiiln. 137 

O' ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, the Lover of 
holiness and purity, Who hast been graciously 
pleased now to call the soul of a little child of this 
family into Thy heavenly Kingdom; so vouchsafe, O 
Lord, to deal mercifully with us who survive, that 
through the merits of the death and passion of Thy 
dearly-beloved Son our Lord, Thou mayest cause us 
evermore to rejoice, with all Thy blessed saints, in the 
same Thy kingdom; Who livest and reignest, one God, 
world without end. 

OLORD Jesus Christ, Who in the sorrow of Thy 
soul didst fall down upon Thy face in prayer; 
give us grace that we likewise in all our sorrows may 
betake ourselves with humble and earnest prayer to our 
Heavenly Father for aid and comfort and relief. Hear 
us, O our Saviour, for Thy Name's sake; Who, 
with . . . 

OLORD Jesus Christ, tender Shepherd of Thy 
flock. Who dost gather the lambs with Thine 
arms, and carry them in Thy bosom; forasmuch as it 
hath pleased Thee to take this little one unto Thyself, teach 
us, we pray Thee, to will what Thou wiliest, and enable 
these whom Thou hast bereaved, even through their 
tears to rejoice in the present sure blessedness of their 
child. We thank Thee, O Lord, that Thou hast made 
it Thine forever, that Thou dost love and tend it in Thy 
fold of Paradise, and we pray Thee to bring us at last 
to the same blessedness and rest; through Thy merits. 
Who, with . . . 

O MERCIFUL LORD, Who didst sympathize with 
the sisters of Thy friend Lazarus in their great 
sorrow; have mercy, we beseech Thee, upon the father 
and the mother of this little child who has been called 
to his heavenly Fathers home. Comfort their hearts 
with the assurance that he is received into Thy loving 
arms, and resteth ever in Thy care; raise, D Lord, their 
hopes to heaven; and grant them grace to serve Thee 
so faithfully with pure hearts here that they may hereafter 



138 



mux tfje IBeatfj of a Cijiltr, 



meet their dear child abovCj and with h'm and all Thy 
saints be admitted into Thy Kingdom; where with the 
Father and the Holy Ghost Thou livest and reignest 
forever and ever. 

O ALMIGHTY God, Who through Thine Only- 
Begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death 
and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; merci- 
fully grant that as this deceased infant hath been bap- 
tized into the death of Thy beloved Son Jesus Christ, 
and thereby made His disciple and an heir of eternal 
glory, and now at Thy command hath gone out of this 
mortal Hfe before /^^hath done good or evil, the garment 
of /lis regeneration remaining pure and unspotted, and 
/its soul having already found admission through the 
merits of the Redeemer into Thy Paradise, so /iis body 
may have a happy passage through the grave and gate 
of death to a joyful resurrection at the last day, and /le 
may then be made partaker of Thy everlasting glory; 
through Him Who died and was buried and rose again 
for us. Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 



V->^soul of this happy child, dear unto Thee; grant to 
us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet 
by faith, that enlightened by Thy Holy Spirit we may 
serve Thee with pure minds in this life, and be joined 
to the company of Thy blessed children in the world to 
come; through ... 




hastened to take to Thyself the 



Benediction. 



THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love 
of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, 
be with us all evermore. 



139 



For the Sanctification of Suffering to Various 
Classes of Sufferers. 

OLORD Jesus Christ, Who didst bear our griefs 
and carry our sorrows; have mercy upon all who 
are in any suffering or trouble; and grant them contin- 
ually meditating upon Thy holy life of suffering to 
realize in weakness the strength of Thine incarnation; 
in pain the triumph of Thy passion; in poverty the 
riches of Thy Godhead; in reproach the satisfaction of 
Thy sympathy; in loneliness the comfort of Thy con- 
tinual Presence; in difficulty the efficacy of Thine inter- 
cession; in perplexity the guidance of Thy wisdom; and 
bring them of Thy mercy, when this suffering life is past, 
to the glorious Kingdom which by Thy suffering Thou 
didst purchase; through Thy merits, Who, with . . . 

For the Strengthening and Growth of the Church. 



Thou come down amongst us, and work 
mightily in Thy Church Thy manifold works of love. 
Amidst the strivings of the busy intellect. Oh Wisdom 
of the Father, show us what is truth. Amidst the 
tumults of the earth, Oh mighty Comforter, vouchsafe 
us peace. Amidst our many discords, Oh bond of the 
uncreated Trinity, knit us into one by the sure binding 
of Thy unbroken unity. Amidst our pollutions. Oh 
Spirit of holiness, vouchsafe us purity: in spite of our 
coldness, Oh breathe into us some inspiration of Thy 
love; to the end that we may love and serve Thee as we 
would, that the ministry of Thy Church may be filled 
with earnest, loving spirits, and that hearts may be 
opened, and tongues loosed, and the blessed day 
hastened in its dawning when all the elect shall have 
been gathered, and when in Thy mercy our eyes shall 




Father and the Son, do 



140 



see the King in His beauty, and our souls be at rest 
forever in praise and adoration of Thee with the Father 
and the Son, One God in Three Persons, world without 
end; through . . . 

At a Meeting 0/ Ministers. 

OLORD Jesus Christ, who didst withdraw Thyself 
unto a mountain for prayer, and didst bring 
Thine Apostles apart from the multitude that they might 
rest awhile with Thee; be graciously present, we beseech 
l^hee, with us who are here gathered together in Thy 
Name, and grant that diligently m.editating upon Thy 
holy word, and strengthened by the gifts of Thy boun- 
tiful Spirit, w^e may be enabled faithfully to fulfil the 
ministry which from Thee we have received; so that in 
preaching and doing those things which are according 
to Thy will, we may safely teach the souls committed to 
our care; and rightly and duly dispensing Thy Sacra- 
ments, and in Thy fear administering discipline may 
lead the flocks over which Thou hast made us shepherds 
unto life everlasting; through Thy mercy. Who, with . . . 

For the Clergy. 

OGOD the Holy Ghost, Who art the Giver of all 
good gifts; mercifully bestow upon all the min- 
isters of Thy Church the spirit of wisdom and under- 
standing, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of 
knowledge and true godliness, and the spirit of Thy 
holy fear, that in faith and love they may hold fast the 
form of sound words committed unto them, and giving 
attention to reading, to exhortation and to doctrine 
may be an example to believers in word, in conversa- 
tion, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity; and grant 
that after turning many to righteousness, they may 
shine as the stars forever and ever; through . . . 

For the Parish. 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, Who dost 
govern all things in heaven and earth; mercifully 
hear our prayers, and grant to this parish all things that 
are needful for its spiritual welfare: strengthen and con- 



141 



firm the faithful; visit and reHeve the sick; turn and 
soften the wicked; arouse the careless; recover the fallen; 
restore the penitent; remove all hindrances to the 
advancement of Thy truth: and bring all to be of one 
heart and mind within the fold of Thy holy Church; to 
the honor and glory of Thy ever-blessed Name; 
through . . . 

At the Meetings of a Guild, or of a Brotherhood, or 
of any other like Parochial Organization, 

OGOD our Saviour, Who gavest Thyself unto 
death that Thou mightest redeem us from all 
iniquity and purify unto Thyself a peculiar people zeal- 
ous of good works; direct, we pray Thee, the purposes 

of this \GuiM, or Brotherhood, or^ ) and prosper them 

with Thy blessing. Grant unto us the spirit of unceas- 
ing prayer, fervent, holy, and persevering, a steadfast 
and right faith, a just and humble hope, and a never- 
failing charity. Make us to submit our wills to Thine, 
being patient of sufferings which Thou permittest, lov- 
ing the good which Thou commandest, hating the evil 
which Thou dost forbid, and never weary in well-doing. 
Admit, we beseech Thee, into the fellowship and 
benefits of this our supplication those who are near and 
dear unto us, with all who have desired our prayers and 
all who need them, even as Thou only knowest their 
necessities: sanctify both them and us; let our portion 
be in Thy good things, in religion and purity, in a quiet 
conscience and the joys of the Holy Ghost, in love of 
Thee, and of our fellow-men in Thee. Preserve Thy 
Church in truth and holiness, in unity and peace, free 
from persecution or glorious under it, ever advancing 
Thine honor, representing Thy sacrifice, and filled with 
Thy Spirit. Bring home to Thy fold all them that are 
gone astray, call into it the stranger, increase the num- 
ber and holiness of Thine own people, and hasten Thy 
appearing and kingdom, O blessed Jesus, Whom with 
the Father and the Holy Ghost we worship and glorify 
as One God, world without end. 



142 



For Schools and Colleges, 

ALMIGHTY God, the Fountain of all wisdom, 
Who hast taught us, in Thy holy word, that to 
know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom 
Thou hast sent, is everlasting life; We humbly beseech 
Thee to receive our prayers and supplications which we 
now offer unto Thee for our schools and colleges 
throughout this land. Grant that they who teach and 
govern in them, may perceive and know what things 
they ought to do, and may also have grace and 
strength to fulfil the same: and to those who are taught 
and trained, give Thy gracious help, that they may ac- 
quire such knowledge as may fit them for the stations in 
life to which they may be called, and, above all things, may 
receive instructions of heavenly wisdom, and know the 
things that belong unto their peace. Grant this, O Hea- 
venly Father, for Jesus Christ's sake our Lord. Amen. 

Collects 

JFrom t|je Book of Common IPrager. 

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT. 

ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast 
away the works of darkness, and put upon us 
the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, 
in which Thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great 
humility; that in the last day, when He shall come 
again in His glorious Majesty to judge both the quick 
and dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through 
Him Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy 
Ghost, now and ever; 

CHRISTMAS-DAY. 

ALMIGHTY God, Who hast given us Thy only- 
begotten Son to take our nature upon Him, and 
as at this time to be born of a pure Virgin; Grant that 
we, being regenerate and made Thy children by adop- 



Collects. 



143 



tion and grace, may daily be renewed by Thy Holy 
Spirit, through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Who 
liveth and reigneth with Thee and the same Spirit, ever 
one God, world without end. 

SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY. 

OGOD, Whose blessed Son was manifested that He 
might destroy the works of the devil, and make 
us the sons of God, and heirs of eternal life; Grant us. 
we beseech Thee, that having this hope, we may purify 
ourselves, even as He is pure; that when He shall ap- 
pear again with power and great glory, we may be made 
like unto Him in His eternal and glorious kingdom; 
where, with Thee, O Father, and Thee, O Holy Ghost, 
He liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. 

SEPTUAGESIMA. 

OLORD, we beseech Thee favourably to hear the 
prayers of Thy people; that we, who are justly 
punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered 
by Thy goodness, for the glory of Thy Name; through 
Jesus Christ our Saviour, Who liveth and reigneth with 
Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without 
end. 

QUINQUAGESIMA. 

OLORD, Who hast taught us that all our doings 
without charity are nothing worth; send Thy 
Holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excel- 
lent gift of charity, the very bond of peace, and of all 
virtues; without which, whosoever liveth is counted 
dead before Thee. Grant this for Thine only Son Jesus 
Christ's sake. 

ASH-WEDNESDAY. 

ALMIGHTY ana everlasting God, Who hatest 
nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive 
the sins of all those \vho are penitent; create and make 
in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lament- 
ing our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may 
obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission 
and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 



144 



Collects* 



SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT. 

ALMIGHTY God, Who seest that we have no 
power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us 
both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; 
hat we may be defended from all adversities which may 
happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which 
may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. 

SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE EASTER. 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, Who, of Thy 
tender love towards mankind, hast sent Thy Son 
our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon Him our flesh, 
and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind 
should follow the example of His great humility; merci- 
fully grant that we may both follow the example of His 
patience, and also be made partakers of His resurrec- 
tion; through the Same, Jesus Ciirist our Lord. 

EASTER-EVEN. 

GRANT, O Lord, that as we are baptized into the 
death of Thy blessed Son our Saviour Jesus 
Christ, so by continual mortifying our corrupt affec- 
tions, we may be buried with Him; and that through 
the grave and gate of death we may pass to our joyful 
resurrection; for His merits, Who died, and was buried, 
and rose again for us. Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 

EASTER-DAY. 

ALMIGHTY God, Who through Thine only-begot- 
ten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and 
opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly 
beseech Thee, that, as by Thy special grace preventing 
us Thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by 
Thy continual help we may bring the same to good 
effect; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and 
reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, 
world without end. 



Collects^ 



145 



ASCENSION-DAY. 

GRANT, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that Hke 
as we do beHeve Thy only-begotten Son our 
Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens, so 
we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with 
Him continually dwell. Who liveth and reigneth with 
Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. 

WHITSUNDAY. 

OGOD, Who as at this time didst teach the hearts 
of Thy faithful people, by sending to them the 
light of Thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit 
to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to 
rejoice in His holy comfort, through the merits of Christ 
Jesus our Saviour, W^ho liveth and reigneth with Thee, 
in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. 

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 

OGOD, the strength of all those who put their trust 
in Thee; Mercifully accept our prayers: and 
because, through the weakness of our mortal nature, we 
can do no good thing without Thee, grant us the help 
of Thy grace, that in keeping Thy commandments we 
may please Thee, both in will and deed; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. 

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 

OGOD, the protector of all that trust in Thee, without 
Whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; Increase 
and multiply upon us Thy mercy; that, Thou being our 
ruler and guide, we may so pass through things tem- 
poral, that we finally lose not the things eternal. Grant 
this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ's sake our Lord. 

SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 

OGOD. Who hast prepared for those who love 
Thee, such good things as pass man's under- 
standing; Pour into our hearts such love towards Thee, 
that we, loving Thee above all things, m.ay obtain Thy 
promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. 



146 



Collects* 



TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, Who art always 
more ready to hear than we to pray, and art 
wont to give more than either w-e desire or deserve; 
Pour down upon us the abundance of Thy mercy, for- 
giving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, 
and giving us those good things which ^ve are not 
worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation 
of Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord. 

SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS. 

O EVERLASTING God, Who hast ordained and 
constituted the services of Angels and men in a 
wonderful order; Mercifully grant, that as Thy Holy 
Angels always do Thee service in heaven, so, by Thy 
appomtment, they may succour and defend us on earth; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

ALL SAINTS' DAY. 

O ALMIGHTY God, Who hast knit together Thine 
elect in one communion and fellowship, in the 
mystical body of Thy Son Christ our Lord; Grant us 
grace so to follow Thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and 
godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable 
joys, which Thou hast prepared for those who unfeign- 
edly love Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 



ASSIST us mercifully, O Lord, in these our suppli- 
cations and prayers; and dispose the way of Thy 
servants towards the attainment of everlasting salvation; 
that, among all the changes and chances of this mortal 
life, they may ever be defended by Thy most gracious 
and ready help, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen, 



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